Secrets from a Happy Marriage

by Maisey Yates

Powerfully emotional, New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates's new novel is a heartwarming exploration of how life's biggest challenges can turn into the greatest opportunities of all...

Rachel Henderson's family is falling apart. Becoming a widow--especially at this age--is heartbreaking. And now with her teenage daughter, Emma, leaving soon for college, Rachel's never felt more lost. She needs a friend--and local diner-owner Adam is the last person she ever thought she'd lean on.

From the outside, her little sister, Anna, has a picture-perfect marriage. But the weight of it is suffocating her. The only way for her to breathe again--and claim the life she's always wanted--comes at a high price, one she's not so sure she can pay.

After raising two daughters on her own and setting up the Lighthouse Inn B&B from scratch, their mother, Wendy, knows just how hard life can be. She's done things she's not proud of, things she desperately wants to keep from her girls--until keeping quiet is no longer an option.

As long-held secrets bubble up and their old lives unravel, the women of Lighthouse Inn will need all their strength to start again and open their hearts up to the possibility of more. But most of all, they'll need each other...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Chick Lit, Fiction, Family Drama

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.

Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.

She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.

Reviews

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Secrets From a Happy Marriage is a multi-generational story: Wendy the single mom who took her two daughters to the coast of Oregon after winning a bid to run a bed and breakfast at a historic lighthouse property. Now years later her daughters are grown and married, and mostly they’ve had a wonderful life, but things are changing. Rachel, Wendy’s oldest, is coping with the loss of her husband, a widow at just thirty-eight years old, Anna, Wendy’s younger daughter, is stuck in a loveless marriage, and Emma, Rachel’s daughter is feeling guilty leaving her grieving mother to go away to college. Plus, Wendy the “blameless” matriarch has some secrets of her own.

I felt for each of these women, was struck by each of their stories, and could really relate to one! Living in a small town their actions are scrutinized, and judged by some, and even by each other. At first, Rachel is so judgy with Anna, having grown apart over the years the sisters only see the surface and not really what each are struggling with. Rachel, realizing on an unconscious level she was jealous of Anna having a healthy husband. Anna for her part envied the real love and obvious connection Rachel had with her husband. I enjoyed seeing them open up, understand and become close. Each providing solace and support instead of judgment. Each had their own romantic story, but I really loved Rachel’s.

Emma, Rachel’s daughter is very much finding her own way. After living with her father’s illness for several years, and now finally losing him she feels like was grieving for a long time, even before his death. Emma’s feels moving across the country, leaving her mother to cope with the loss when she receives an acceptance to her dream college to study marine biology. Then there’s also Luke, her longtime crush from afar who finally notices her.

Wendy’s story was a bit of a twist, upsetting her daughters view of her and the life they’ve had. Wendy had to come to terms with her past and forgive herself. I also enjoyed her romance.

I love lighthouses! My husband and I took a three-week road trip a couple of years ago and visited lighthouses all along the Pacific Northwest. We were able to stay at one in Oregon: Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast and when I started reading this story, I was struck by how familiar the setting sounded. Come to find out Ms. Yates stayed there and based Cape Hope Lighthouse B & B after it! The place was gorgeous and magical, and I was so excited to find out it was featured in such a lovely story! It felt more personal to me.

Secrets From a Happy Marriage was a heartfelt story about being yourself, accepting past mistakes, forgiving yourself and moving on; trying not to be hindered by what others think of you, and ignoring those determined to pass judgment. But it was also about supporting family and drawing strength from their love. I loved every minute of it!

I alternately listened and read Secrets From a Happy Marriage. Samantha Cook does a wonderful job performing both male and female voices, and I listened at 1.3x-1.5x normal speed.

A copy was kindly provided by HQN via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not real impressed with this book at first, it was very slow getting started but it picked up half way through it and them I could connect with the three main characters.
I will give Yates another try it could be that I had just read a fantastic book and had a book hangover.

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Revealing Truth Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Maisey Yates has been a favorite author for me. Most of the books I have read by her have had a western theme. Surprise Surprise, this was not a western and it took me on a journey that was so engrossing.

It took a hard look at the relationships between Mothers and Daughters, Sisters and Sisters, and everything in between. It was done with a sure hand and gave us all that it had intended.

The main focus in the beginning and throughout was everything isn't as it seems, most of the time. There is always some sort of undercurrent and it takes true courage to strip things bare and rise up from that action.

Well done.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I‘ve been reading (and loving) a lot from Maisey Yates this year, most of which have been cowboy romance stories. This is more of a women‘s fiction story featuring three generations of women in the same family. All four of the women have complications in their lives which challenge their relationships with one another. I loved the realistic depictions of grief and betrayal. Also there‘s a big theme of judgment in this story, which was well-handled. Just an all around great women's fiction story with relatable characters. I didn't like every decision they made, I didn't like everything they said or did, but I enjoyed their journey through some very trying times.

Thank you to HQN Books and NetGalley for sending me a digital review copy in exchange for my review!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of three generations of women and how secrets can destroy a family or bring it together. Rachel Henderson's husband has recently passed away, and her daughter Emma is preparing to go away to school. Rachel is feeling lost and alone, even though she lives at the Lighthouse Inn B&B with her mother. Her younger sister Anna is married to the local pastor and Rachel thinks she has it all, until Anna's husband announces to his congregation that he is getting divorced because his wife as been having an affair. Rachel finds friendship with local restaurant owner, Adam, which brings down the ire of the local gossips. From the perfect family to one that is being ridiculed and scorned, can these women find their way in this town once again? Can they heal the rifts that have grown between them as well?

This is a story about love, family, honesty, forgiveness and healing. All of these women are flawed as we all are. They make mistakes trying to protect one another. All these women are realistic and some are more likable than others. Rachel tends to be rather righteous and judgmental. She thinks her sister has the perfect marriage and when she finds out what she has done is angry with her. She finds it hard to understand her feelings and actions. Anna is jealous of Rachel's happy marriage and her daughter and Wendy, perfect Wendy, has kept a secret for years that causes Anna to explode. They have to find a way back to one another and keep Emma in the fold as well. Emma is dealing with grief and sympathy at the same time. Can she leave her mother and attend college on the other coast? What about her blossoming romance? Will it last if she goes away? She has a lot of decisions to make and in all honesty, she is the one character that I liked the most. I didn't like some of the actions these women took, but it is easy to judge when it is not your life. This is a story of forgiveness and honesty. One that rips a family apart before bringing them back together again. The title is a bit deceiving as none of these women really have a happy marriage. If you enjoy stories of family and their drama and relationships, then this is a story for you.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the setting of this book and thought the storyline had great potential. But honestly the book was boring, the characters all whiny and unlikeable and the storylines completely unbelievable. Rachel getting engaged to Adam at the end of the book completely ruined the entire thing for me. There just wasn’t really anything to like about this book other than the setting. The rest was a bunch of women whining about why they weren’t happy or how men wronged them. Just not a great read at all.

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very long with not a lot happening and very repetitive.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel knew that her time with her husband was limited and recently passed. Emma their teenage daughter her at a few crossroad in her life with choosing to go to college and is debating where to go. Anna is sister to Rachel whose marriage seemed perfect at a glace and and made a decision that ultimately led to her divorce. They all live in a small town and rumors can fly and make things difficult each women have some difficult decision to make to figure things out for their lives.

This was another book that's been a on my tbr list for a while and after reading it I'm surprised I didn't pick it up sooner. I mean at first I had a bit of a challenge trying to get used to the three perspectives plus the extras. Thats just one thing that I personally have a trouble getting through but once I figured things out it was smooth sailing. It was interesting getting to know each person. Each of the women were facing difficult choices. Rachel was trying to learn to live again after her husband passed and just felt so much guilt trying to past it and seeing how she was handling it was pretty interesting I did enjoy seeing her bit of romance. Then there was Emma the daughter who was facing school but didn't really want to leave her mother on her own thinking on relocating schools but really wanted to get out there but also facing some love herself. Anna poor Anna, I mean it was interesting seeing both sides of her and her husband once things came down to it. I mean she's the one who pretty much ruined the relationship but it was a long time coming and her husband didn't have to do that to her making things difficult for her. There is so much to unpack with this book but after it was all done I'm glad to have read this book. It was such a good read I really enjoyed it.

[Rolé - Hooked By That Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

-- This review, and others, are also available on my blog www.hookedbythatbook.com –

Rachel has to bury her husband and figure out who she is without him, Emma is mourning her father and trying to find her own place in the world, Anna’s marriage is ending and she has to endure the censure of the townspeople, and Wendy is trying to bring her daughters closer together while hiding her own terrible secret.

This is a very emotional walk through these four women’s lives. Each one is dealing with her own insecurities, and feelings of guilt and regret form an ongoing theme for all of them.

I liked Anna and her journey of growth the most. I liked Wendy as a character, and wouldn’t wish her away at all, but it felt a bit too much to add her issues on top of everything else. Between Rachel, Emma, and Anna things were already very tense and emotional.

The story does make you think about your own relationships, and how you might react if big change should come knocking.

I can definitely recommend it if you like novels focused on character growth and relationship building.

Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. Any thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Living My Best Book Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets from a Happy Marriage is a heartfelt multi-generational novel. The story is told from each character's perspective and readers will get to know each character in a genuine way.

Loss in the family is affecting everyone differently. Rachel is a widow and Emma has lost her father. Jacob had been fighting cancer and no matter how long they expected it, nothing could prepare them when they actually lost him.

As they begin to try and live a life without him, they realize how imperfect their lives really are. They may feel like they don't have much in common, but they are both keeping secrets.

The story is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. This family goes through so much and is forced to land on their own two feet. They handle it in different ways, but that is the beauty of growth.

I give Secrets from a Happy Marriage 4 stars. The plot was fantastic and I liked these characters so much. Getting the multiple POV's was so fitting to the story. Maisey Yates' books are always a pleasure to read!

[Donna Repsher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading Maisey Yates' novels for a number of years and have enjoyed each and every one of them, but none of them prepared me for Secrets for a Happy Marriage. Was is a good read? No--it wasn't. It was a remarkable, brilliantly and beautifully written, deeply emotional, thoughtful, and heartfelt read, and, quite simply, it blew me away. I'd give it more than 5 stars if that were possible.

Secrets from a Happy Marriage took me a bit of time to get into--it's a multi-generational story with its roots in the past, opening with a letter from a mail order bride, Jenny Hansen, in response to an ad from the Chief Lighthouse keeper at the Cape Hope Lighthouse on the Oregon coast, Olaf Hansen. As we get to know her through her letters and her journal entries, as well as getting to read portions of letters from servicemen stationed on the grounds of the lighthouse during wartime, we also get to know the current occupants of the Cape Hope Lighthouse Inn, a grandmother, Wendy, her two adult daughters, Rachel and Anna, and Rachel's teenage daughter, Emma--and do we ever!

Rachel has been married to the love of her life, Jacob, for 20 years, and except for the first year or two of their marriage, Jacob has slowly and painfully been dying from a variety of illnesses, and Rachel has been caring for him, as has her daughter, Emma, both of them knowing that he wouldn't be with them forever, and making every moment of their lives as special and meaningful as possible. When Jacob finally succumbs to cancer, Rachel is unsure of how to proceed with the rest of her life without him, while their daughter, Emma, realizes that her beloved father won't be at her high school graduation or even there for her 18th birthday. She's dreamed of a career in marine biology and has been accepted to a college in Boston, but she is now torn about leaving her mother and grandmother alone in their grief, so she lies about her acceptance in Boston, and agrees to attend OSU, only 3 hours away--but is that really the right choice for her? Emma is also keeping another secret, her first crush on Luke, a 21-year-old car mechanic and high school dropout in town, and their budding relationship.

Rachel too has been keeping a secret--when caring for Jacob has been just too much, Rachel's found some respite at the small town diner, stopping in for a hamburger, and a chat with Adam, the proprietor--nothing really personal, just someone to talk to for a brief while. But what happens after Jacob finally dies? What will Rachel do with her grief and with her life moving forward?

Anna, Rachel's sister, has been married to a popular pastor in town, Thomas, for more than 15 years, yet she has felt him pulling away from her and becoming ever more distant as time has passed. She's tried to talk to him, but gotten nowhere. She feels unloved, ignored, and feels as though she's just going through the motions of being a pastor's wife, not really feeling much for him or the members of the congregation. In her frustration, she has an affair, which Thomas catches her at, and which he shares with his congregation one Sunday morning, shocking her, her family and the entire congregation, many of whom now belittle or ignore her, or treat her as a whore, and they aren't surprised when Thomas announces that he's divorcing her.

Wendy too has been keeping secrets, secrets that will come as a shock to her entire family, and to the reader as well, the lead-in being a handsome, single, older man whose history is also tied to the lighthouse, spending some vacation time there at the inn, and spending much of it with Wendy, who is happy to share her love of the lighthouse and its history with him.

Each of the four women in this novel are keeping secrets, each of them trying to deal with their own issues, their own problems, their own grief, and the novel is so beautifully written and so well-paced that, as a reader, I often had to stop and ponder what I would do if faced with the decisions these women have to make and deal with, and take a good hard look at how keeping their secrets have affected their relationships with their partners and especially with each other.

At my age, 67, I've been through all these stages of life, I've been a young teenager with a secret crush, I had to decide to go to college while living at home, rather than accept a scholarship at a college away from home after my mother's sudden and unexpected death when I was 15, and, as an only child, I couldn't leave my father alone with his grief. I've had to deal with my husband's cancer diagnosis (thankfully, he's beaten it), and other personal issues that might have torn my marriage apart. To say that this book strongly resonated with me is putting it mildly. In one way or another, I've faced what these characters have faced, and in every case, I believe these same issues will resonate with readers of all ages, in all walks of life, because they are very human issues, and Maisey Yates has done such an absolutely incredible job of making these characters come to life (although I wish she'd given us physical descriptions of them), and imbuing them with such humanity, self-awareness, and honesty that I can't recall another book that moved me quite as strongly as this one in several decades. These are characters that will live with me for a very long time, and I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story about the relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters with their sisters. This is an enjoyable piece of chick lit, as the subject matter isn't too heavy and it is relationship driven. I enjoyed it, as it was a welcome relief to read something light with everything that is going on right now.

[Viv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endearing. Enjoyed the story and satisfying. I could see this story up on the big screen for sure.

[Margi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written multi - generational story told from the 4 main character's perspective. It was one of loss, grief, forgiveness, healing and moving forward that managed to warm my heart as I read and immersed myself in their story.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets from a Happy Marriage by Maisey Yates is a multi-generational novel of  new beginnings and healing.

Rachel Henderson gladly dedicated her life to caring for her beloved husband, Jacob. But after he sadly passes away, she finds herself wondering who she is without someone to take care of. Their teenage daughter Emma is about to graduate from high school and at summer's end, she will be leaving the nest for college.  Rachel struggles to accept these inevitable changes while deciding what she wants for her future.

Meanwhile Rachel's younger sister Anna's marriage to pastor Thomas Martin  has just imploded in a very public way. She has been unhappy with Thomas for quite some time and he has ignored her attempts to salvage their floundering marriage. In the aftermath,  Anna's relationship with Rachel hits a rough spot but she is gratified by her niece Emma's support. Facing down gossip and outrage from their some people in their small town, Anna forges an unexpected path for herself after coming to terms with the end of her marriage.

Emma is torn between following her dream and being there for her mother.  She is also stretching her wings much to her mom's consternation. Emma is also experiencing young love for the first time and this new relationship might complicate her plans for the future. Despite a few volatile moments between mother and daughter, Emma is finally making peace with the decisions she is making for herself.

Rachel and Anna's mother Wendy started over after she was selected to run the Lighthouse B&B when her daughters were very young. She is well-liked and respected by her fellow business owners, so she is shocked and angered by some of their vitriolic comments about Anna.  She is protective of her daughters but following an unpleasant confrontation, Wendy realizes she needs to be honest with them about her own secrets. Wendy has not had time for relationships so she is a little surprised by the realization her interest in a guest runs deeper than professional. But after years on her own, Wendy is uncertain whether she should act on their mutual attraction.

Secrets from a Happy Marriage is an engaging novel with a wonderful cast of characters and an interesting storyline. Each of the women is quite contemplative as they work their way through their respective issues. Their various relationships with one another are realistically depicted and they have relatable problems to overcome. Maisey Yates brings this heartwarming novel to an uplifting conclusion. I enjoyed and recommend this charming novel to readers of contemporary fiction.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The secret was love.
It was that simple, and that hard.
Love of every kind that made you weak, made you strong, made you brave and made you scared. Love that you chose, anyway, every day.
Love that shone like a lighthouse on a hill, always there to guide you safely home."

Knowing she'll never grow old with her husband didn't stop Rachel Henderson from loving him and making a life with him. This is her story, now that she's newly widowed. But it's also the story of her sister, Anna, a woman who forgot herself in her marriage and trying to redefining who she is. It's also the story of Rachel's daughter, Emma and her mother, Wendy. They also have things to learn and un-learn. The tragic event of losing her husband will be the starting point for all the four women to reassess their lives and realize you never really know someone unless you take the time to speak and listen to what they have to say. Because if there's one thing that's just as complicated or more than love, it's family.

The Cape Hope Lighthouse Inn and diary and letters excerpt at the start of each chapter was a great setting for this intergenerational story. A whole lot of personal journey and a little bit of romance, I especially loved Adam, the diner owner with a quiet strength who never hesitate to give his honest opinion when asked. I loved the kind of chemistry he had with Rachel. Not quite friends, more like neighbors who bring each other comfort by their presence. Maisey Yates delivers on all the feels and I like how her books always makes me ponder about human's nature.

[AlwaysV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written story! Loved it! It looked nothing like all of the other stories I read and loved by Maisey Yate. But it was an amazing read just the same.

And yes! The "Secrets from a Happy Marriage" were revealed, in case you would like to practice them too. Not what I expected to hear, though. I thought for sure it had to be ➡️ "Keep no secrets from people you love and want to have in your lives. For always." Or something along that line. Sharing one of my favorite scenes:

In the love she had never expected to find with Adam. The secret was love. It was that simple, and that hard. Love of every kind that made you weak, made you strong, made you brave and scared. Love that you choose, anyway, every day. Love that shone like a lighthouse on a hill, always there to guide you safely home.

[Azalea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author needs to find a new editor. There is so much redundancy in this book... could have been dramatically shortened if the editor was providing decent notes. The exhaustive over analysis of each and every female emotion quickly becomes taxing, especially when it’s the same analysis on repeat throughout the plot. The storyline had so much potential and the characters were intriguing. Just seemed like verbal diarrhea after a while and disrupted the flow of interaction between the characters. Not sure how this book gets all those 5 star reviews.

[Figlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was leaning toward 3 1/2 stars for this title, but the light house historical reveals in the latter chapters and epilogue reveals really worked for me so I'm bumping up to 4 stars.

I did have some difficulty in the beginning of the novel distinguishing between the various character's POV's, but it eventually got clearer from me. Maisey Yates' distinctive voice is apparent, and I did laugh a loud several times.

Rated 4 cheeseburgers which I am insanely craving this morning.

[Vicki Obrien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chick flick!!!

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

**MINOR SPOILERS**
This book is a standalone.
The book starts with the death of Rachel’s husband, Jacob. He suffered from a variety of issues, including cancer. His death sets off a series of changes for Rachel and her family. Some of the story is about the family’s relationships with each other and some of the story is unique to each individual.
Rachel is filled with grief at the death of her husband, but she also no longer needs to be a caretaker and she is not sure what to do with that change. She needs to work out who she is now. She also has to come to terms with her daughter leaving for college as she will no longer be a caretaker for her (in a different way). She also needs to come to terms with her sister, Anna, with whom she has grown distant and her shocking way of ending her marriage. She also has a relationship with Adam, the owner of a local diner. I thought their relationship was one sided through most of the book. Rachel has a temper and there were times she let it get away from her and said things that are not nice.
Wendy is the matriarch of the family. She is working on gathering information about the history of a lighthouse which is now a B&B. I believe the title refers to snippets at the beginning of most chapters that reflect the thoughts of the wife of a lighthouse keeper from around 1900. Wendy meets a guest at the lighthouse, John, who is a descendant of that couple. She has an unexpected secret in her past that comes out about midway through the book and another at the very end. She has a relationship with John and this relationship is not given a lot of depth.
Anna realizes that her marriage to Thomas is nothing like the relationship between Anna and Jacob. She decides to end her marriage and does so by having s*x with a man, Michael, who has been her friend when he has stayed at the lighthouse. After the figurative bomb goes off, she then has to figure out what she wants in life and how to get there. Part of her coming to that understanding involves working through her relationships with her family.
Emma is Rachel’s daughter, and she decides to sacrifice her plans for her dream college to stay near her mother. It is a generous thing to do, however, she gradually realizes that she needs to rethink the decision with the support of two people. She starts a relationship with Luke, a mechanic, that causes her to feel that she has to choose between love and college.
The relationships in the book are not idealized and they have ups and downs. At a certain point in the story, I disagreed with the way they handled a relationship but it did make them human. In addition, they have to come to terms with their relationships with men past, present, and future. The book has a happy ending for each of them and for them together.
The dialogue at times felt more descriptive than the way someone would usually talk.
A small nitpick: Emma accepts a college but does not tell anyone. When you accept a college, an enrollment deposit is required and the amount can vary. It is possible she would be able to make this payment on her own, but if not, she would have needed the help of someone in her family.
The lighthouse in the story was based on the Heceta Lighthouse in Oregon. Here is a link if you are interested: www.hecetalighthouse.com/history. It is part of a wild and beautiful part of the Oregon coastline. The history is interesting.
It took me a while to settle into the book. It moved slowly. It mostly had a good focus on small but important moments but at times it settled on those moments too long.
A very minor nitpick: Anna is described as the youngest daughter. Wendy has two daughters. Anna is the younger, not the youngest.
I probably will not continue reading books by this author.

[Nate Brightman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordinarily don’t drop $10.00 on an e-book. I just read too many to pay that steep a price. My preference is free on Kindle Unlimited but I have been known to spend $4 or $5 for a book by an author I really like. And Maisey Yates is one of those authors. When I began immersing myself in contemporary romance a few years ago Maisey was one of the first authors I read that helped hook me on the genre. Her stories normally based around small ranching communities, usually in Oregon ( who knew Oregon had ranches?) quickly became this city boy’s favorite contemporary romance setting. Even though Secrets from a Happy Marriage is based in a small town on the Oregon coast, it definitely wasn’t a ranching community and I’m pretty certain you couldn’t even call it a contemporary romance even though there is some romance in it. This book is more about the relationships of the four female characters a mom Wendy, her two adult daughters Rachel and Anna and her granddaughter Emma. This book I believe falls squarely under the category of chick lit. And even though I read loads of contemporary romance I’m not a chick. So if Maisy Yates hadn’t been the author I definitely would have taken a pass on this one.
Maisey never really does lite hearted in her stories. She's the queen of angst and deep emotions. There’s always a lot of dialogue about motivations, and feelings and emotions. This story is jam packed with emotions from start to finish.
Thirty years ago single mom Wendy sought and won the job of restoring an old lighthouse and the adjoining buildings on the Oregon coast. She wanted a fresh start for herself and her young daughters. She’s made a huge success of turning the place into a thriving tourist destination with a B&B simply named The Lighthouse Inn. But all is not well in Wendy’s family’s world. Rachel the oldest daughter’s husband of twenty years, Jacob has succumbed to cancer after a years long battle. Shortly after that her youngest daughter Anna who is married to a popular minister blows up her marriage by having an affair with a frequent guest at the Inn. Rachel’s daughter Emma is close to graduating from high school and has her heart set on attending Boston College on the other side of the country. But she’s afraid to leave her mom after her father’s death and Rachel wants her to stay close to home.
At its heart this is a story about family, love, forgiveness, learning to forgive and love yourself and not being afraid to go after what you want.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick review: This was my first time that I willingly picked up a Woman’s Fiction, but since this was Maisey Yates I figured why not. The story started off with an intense, raw, and emotional beginning. I knew the setup that was coming for Rachel, but I wasn’t prepared to be actually shown it in that heartbreaking scene. It was a heck of a start where I was immediately invested in the characters and their storylines. I wasn’t thrilled with the infidelity with Anna storyline, but since this wasn’t a romance I could overlook it and just concentrate on the personal growth and journey she went on. All the woman went through quite the emotional roller coaster and journey with each dealing with their issues, which made for an interesting ride. I did like the storyline between Rachel and Adam. They did have a great friendship and emotional foundation, though there was a bit of controversy with the timing of it. I did think they did get together on the quickish side when they did, but I did enjoy seeing their relationship blossom throughout the book. I did like the stuff with Emma and Luke, though I did feel like there was something missing. It felt like more a happy for now and not a happily ever after, but that was coming from a romance reader point of view. I did like how the family relationship played out and grow and change throughout the story. I loved the history with the lighthouse and the little snippets from different time periods of the different caretakers throughout the years. It just added a little more intrigue. There was a twist that I hadn’t seen coming that just totally floored me and I wanted more The ending felt like something was missing and I think there could have been a bit more to finish it up and been a bit more satisfying. I wanted a little more from the epilogue to wrap up some the storylines. I just thought there were some loose ends for some of the characters that I wanted to be tied up. Overall I really liked the story and the characters and thought it was a good foray into Women’s Fiction.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisey Yates Secrets from a Happy Marriage is unlike anything I have ever read by her. It was emotional and thought provoking and kept you turning the pages. Rachel has cared for Jacob, her husband, along with her daughter, Emma for many years. He went from one illness to another; one surgery to another. They knew they wouldn't have him him long but when he passed away they were shattered. They both were so used to being caretakers they didn't know how to move on. Throughout Jacob's illness she found a friend in Adam, the proprietor of the local diner. It was nothing inappropriate. He just listened which was comforting to her at that time.

Emma was definitely daddy's girl. She mourns that he won't be there for her graduation or even her 18th birthday. She has dreamed of going to school in Boston to study marine biology. On the day her father passed away she got the letter telling her she was accepted. She felt she couldn't leave her mother at this time and told her she didn't get in.

Anna, Rachel's sister, has been married for many years. As the years have gone by she realizes that her husband isn't giving her what she needs. He is cold and distant. This led her to find what she needed elsewhere with hurtful consequences.

Wendy is Anna and Rachel's mother. She is also hiding many secrets to the point that she almost believes the lies she has told. With her daughters they run the Lighthouse Inn B & B where one of the guests take an interest in her. She doesn't know how to handle this.

Love is the glue that holds them together through it all. They each have to learn to let go and love themselves and then they will find happiness. I loved every minute of this book and really didn't want it to end. It is so good it should be rated ten stars!

[Barry Martin Vass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining story of life, love, struggle, and how we deal with change as it crashes into our lives. And the title is fairly ironic in that, of the four main female characters, only one, Rachael, has any notion of what a happy marriage looks like, and her husband dies at the beginning of this, leaving her a widow at age thirty-nine. Wendy McDonald is a single mother who brings her two young daughters, Rachael and Anna, to live, work, and refurbish the Lighthouse Inn B&B on the Oregon coast. She strives to teach her daughters how to live, how to grow into moral adults, and how to recognize true love. She has mostly failed to do this in her own life, and she is hiding one huge secret that she has never acknowledged, even to herself. So when Rachael's husband dies, and younger daughter Anna's marriage to the local pastor falls apart, she is absolutely shattered. Author Maisey Yates tells this in a very accessible way, with good locations and witty dialogue, making this highly enjoyable to read. Here's an example of the writing: "She walked out into the damp, cold morning. The fog hung low over the buildings on Main Street, rolling in off the sea. The air smelled sharp like salt and pine, with an earthy hint of asphalt and dirt thrown in for good measure. The street was mostly empty, with nearly everyone gone off to work or settled in to wherever they might be spending their mornings." Looking for a good read? Don't miss Secrets from a Happy Marriage!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wendy and her daughters Rachel and Anna have lived at the Lighthouse Inn Bed & Breakfast for 30 years. This year is a time of transition. Jacob, Rachel’s husband of 20 years is losing his battle with cancer. Anna’s marriage is coming apart. Emma is deciding about college in the wake of her dad’s death. Wendy has her own secrets that have framed the way the family deals with these crises.

Eventually after secrets are revealed, the women find their places and clarify what they want from their lives and what they want and need from one another. Told from each woman’s point of view, readers see the characters evolve and grow. Recommended.

Readalikes:
Susan Mallery – Daughters of the Bride; Kristan Higgins – Always the Last to Know; RaeAnne Thayne – The Cliff House; Beth Harbison – Every Time You Go Away; Nancy Thayer – The Summer We Started Over; Lauren Aliza Green – The World After Alice; Sharon J. Wishnow – The Pelican Tide; Jill Shalvis – Lost and Found Sisters; Sheryl Lister – No Reservations.

Pace: Moderately paced
Character: POV of mother, two daughters, and a granddaughter; Likable
Identities: Christian
Storyline: Multiple storylines within relationships
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Solution oriented
Mood: Upbeat
Frame: Sunset Bay OR; Contemporary
Themes: Starting over; Overcoming grief; Relationships

Red flags/Trigger warning: Marital affairs; Death of a spouse/parent

[What Angie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A culmination of relationships, old and new tear at the seams of this family's dynamic! Maisey Yates has the reader's attention quickly with SECRETS FROM A HAPPY MARRIAGE. As one marriage shows true love even in the darkest days, another self-destructs before our eyes, and we're left watching the pieces crumble. I really enjoyed getting to know these two sisters, their mother and the teen daughter of one try to figure out life after all is said and done. I would have liked a little more closure to the endings for some of them, but overall, I enjoyed the characters a lot. Rachel Henderson was one of my favorites in the book from the start because I could sympathize with her loss, but see the beauty of her growing friendship with Adam as it developed into more. Rachel's little sister Anna will resonate with anyone who has ever felt unseen in a room full of people. She has a good heart, and she feels so much, but she self-sabotages instead of standing up for herself and what she needs. Rachel's mother Wendy has a smaller presence in the book, but her teachings and beliefs bring a strong structure to what her daughters built their relationships on, so when secrets are uncovered, things become a bit dicey! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a close-knit family who readily admit they aren't perfect as they traverse the everyday road of life and hope against hope for a happily ever after. The characterization was rich, and the plot was thick with emotion.

[booksbikesbooze · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up!

I love reading books about mothers, daughters, and sisters...as they usually resonate with me, being close to my own mother, and only having one sibling: a sister. The premise of this book: Wendy (grandmother), Rachel & Anna (sisters, Wendy's daughter), and Emma (Rachel’s daughter) sounded right up my alley!

Overall, I really enjoyed the “letters” from the Inn at the beginning of every chapter, that ended up telling a story. The book was filled with family secrets, lies, and heartbreaks. Wendy, Rachel, Anna, and Emma are all simultaneously going through a challenging time in their lives, and there are secrets revealed throughout the book (with a major one at the end) that we watch pan out over the chapters.

A favorite quote that really stood out to me, and I thought “HUH…that’s one I want to remember…”:
“Well, if Emma loves you as much as I think she does, then I think she’ll be more than willing to you that second chance. But don’t ask for too many of them. And when she needs one…give it to her”.
(That is some good life advice - don't ask for too many second chances, AND when someone else needs one - give it to them!)

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy ! out 5/12!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family secrets and the bonds between women across generations are the themes for Maisey Yates’ latest novel; Secrets from a Happy Marriage. And while I didn’t know much about what to expect aside from that, as I’m new to Maisey Yates, I ended up really enjoying this book.

I enjoyed the bond between the four women and how it shows how complex the relationship between mother and daughter or sisters can be, and even when you’re close, there are going to be things you hide, which is especially true for Wendy, who has some major secrets from her past she kept from her daughters. And it’s wonderful to see Wendy, Anna, Rachel, and Emma all overcome their individual hardships and find happiness.

I also love the sense of history interspersed throughout with the epigraphs containing snippets of letters from the past, and while it took a bit to figure out the connection, I loved the way it came together over the course of the book.

I enjoyed this one, and will consider picking up more Maisey Yates books in the future, if they catch my interest. I recommend this to anyone looking for a story about family and the trials the different members face.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Family secrets and the bonds between women across generations are the themes for Maisey Yates’ latest novel; Secrets from a Happy Marriage. And while I didn’t know much about what to expect aside from that, as I’m new to Maisey Yates, I ended up really enjoying this book.

I enjoyed the bond between the four women and how it shows how complex the relationship between mother and daughter or sisters can be, and even when you’re close, there are going to be things you hide, which is especially true for Wendy, who has some major secrets from her past she kept from her daughters. And it’s wonderful to see Wendy, Anna, Rachel, and Emma all overcome their individual hardships and find happiness.

I also love the sense of history interspersed throughout with the epigraphs containing snippets of letters from the past, and while it took a bit to figure out the connection, I loved the way it came together over the course of the book.

I enjoyed this one, and will consider picking up more Maisey Yates books in the future, if they catch my interest. I recommend this to anyone looking for a story about family and the trials the different members face.