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The House of Hidden Secrets

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The imposing gates of Ramsay Hall yawned open. As Serena and 4-year-old Lana walked up the long driveway, little did they know the dark secrets that lay within.

When Serena Green accepted the role of housekeeper for wealthy widower Hayden Ramsay, she never imagined her new home would be Ramsay Hall, an ancient, sprawling mansion in Northern England.

Serena quickly becomes an integral part of the household, making friends with Hayden’s younger son Hugh, despite Jack, his older brother’s, coldness towards her and Lana.

But the hall’s beautiful exterior hides many ugly secrets. Though Serena and Jack begin to grow closer, she’s confused by his behaviour around Lana. What is he guilty of? And is there more to their mother’s death than the Ramsay men will admit, even to themselves?

As the harrowing past of Ramsay Hall unravels, Serena fresh start becomes a fresh horror. She fears for her and Lana’s safety, but what are the bleak secrets in Serena’s own past?

This house is built on a lifetime of lies… and the truth might just bring the walls crashing down.

A twisty, gripping and utterly unputdownable new thriller that fans of Lisa Jewell, C.L. Taylor and Mark Edwards will love.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2021

164 people are currently reading
874 people want to read

About the author

C.E. Rose

8 books39 followers
C.E. Rose is the pen name of novelist Caroline England.

Born in Sheffield, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer. She turned to writing when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters.

Follow her on Twitter: @CazEngland

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
Profile Image for James.
Author 20 books4,399 followers
March 21, 2021
The House of Hidden Secrets is the first book I've read by CE Rose. I found it on NetGalley and thought the cover and description were strong. It takes place in the UK, in a quiet country estate with a small cottage and a lot of property. Serena and her four-year-old daughter, Lana, arrive for a new job as a housekeeper and caretaker for an older man who's had a bad fall. Hayden's wife died years ago, and he has two middle-aged sons. One is a lawyer, the other seems disconnected and perhaps unstable.

As the title suggests, everyone in the house is keeping a secret. Little by little, readers learn some backstory. Serena is running from a bad marriage. Hugh, the younger of the sons, has a dangerous friendship with a schoolmate who's returned from Australia without his wife and kids. Jack, the older son, can be harsh and quite dark, but he's a well-connected attorney. Hayden seems nice on the exterior, but there's a subtlety in all he does that raises alarm bells. When we learn about an accident from years ago, readers must decide whether one or more of these characters are beyond troubled and potentially a murderer.

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. I can be fickle about UK authors or writing if it strays too far into a setting or a vocabulary that is off-putting and/or confusing. In some sections, too much British culture is included in the book which can make it feel unrelatable to others from different countries, even America. It's not a bad thing, but I had to slow down to ensure I translated words more often than I prefer... plus the style is different, which means I need to be very focused. The author often relies on generics such as 'he' or 'she' to allude to which character is speaking. Sometimes, it's intentionally vague so readers don't pick up on hidden messages. Others, I think the writer might've needed to be more clear. When two people speak in the same paragraph (a major pet peeve of mine) and pronouns are overly used, it's difficult, especially given the other items above.

All that said, those are the only negatives for me. The plot is well-constructed; it leaves holes but ones that aren't too important. Vague notions help with suspense. Characters are murky, which makes the read more of a thriller. I still think they all had shades of black and white, and that's an enticing read. I would read another book by the author, and I look forward to seeing what others have to say about this one. A nice surprising ending, but not major bombshells. Enough to make you shake your head and smile... not too much that it completely changes the whole story. Good read.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,420 reviews5 followers
April 24, 2021
THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS is a psychological thriller by CE Rose.

When Serena Green accepted a position for a temporary housekeeper for wealthy widower Hayden Ramsay, she never imagined her new home, a farmhouse, would be Ramsay Hall, an ancient, sprawling mansion in Northern England. Her role was to look after Hayden, while he recuperated from an accident and was on crutches. Hayden lives alone with one son, Jack, a barrister and dog, Lexie in the main house. The other younger son, Hugh, lives and works off the premises and works at a farm, nearby. Serena and her 5-year-old daughter, Lana were supplied with a small cottage on the grounds for their use. Both sons check on their father as often as possible.

Serena soon makes friends with Hayden’s younger son Hugh, Kind and easy to get along with, while Jack, his older brother’s, was cold towards her and Lana. Serena and Jack soon grow closer and find themselves in a relationship…but was this a mistake?

There were so many secrets held within the walls of this mansion. Why does Jack stills act strange around Lana? And is there more to their mother’s death than the Ramsay men will admit, even to themselves?

But soon, Serena, who is in hiding after escaping an abusive relationship, feels it is not safe for her and her daughter at the mansion. But where can they go?

This is a well-written twisty psychological thriller with so many lies and secrets…the truth might just bring the walls crashing down. Loved the surprise ending!

Many thanks to the author, Hera Books, Netgalley and The Book Club Reviewer Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,710 followers
April 14, 2021
Selena has accepted a job as housekeeper for a wealthy man who had an accident and is on crutches. He lives alone, although, his two adult sons do look in on him as often as possible. Selena brings along her 5-year-old daughter, Lana.

Selena and Lana make friends with the younger son, Hugh, while the older son, Jack, is rather cool to them both. He acts rather strange around Lana, which confuses Selena, as she has jumped into a relationship with him. Are there family secrets that she's not privy to?

Selena has long-buried secrets. Supposedly she's hiding from an extremely abusive husband .. but that may not be the truth. Before too long, she feels that she and Lana are not safe.... but where should she turn?

Lies and secrets ... this well written novel is full of them. The characters are solidly drawn, but who to believe .. if any of them? There are twists and turns that rival a roller coaster ride with a major twist at the most unexpected conclusion

Many thanks to the author / Hera Books / Netgalley / The Book Club Reviewer Group (FB) for the digital copy of this most interesting psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for 8stitches 9lives.
2,853 reviews1,722 followers
April 14, 2021
With more of a gothic-tinged atmosphere and a setting and narrative that is both creepy and deeply unsettling throughout, under the pseudonym CE Rose, bestseller Caroline England switches up her style of crime fiction, and it's not only utterly brilliant but riveting, too. With twisty tension and scintillating suspense in abundance and action, drama, secrets, lies and intensity packed into the narrative by the bucketload, I found I couldn't get through its pages quickly enough. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Ann.
469 reviews12 followers
February 23, 2021
I very much enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing.- almost prose at times.
There are several characters to follow-each with their own multitude of secrets. At times I struggled to follow the timeframes (past to present). The story has so many twists and turns.. Just when I thought I’d figured out a connection, they was another “Whoa, I didn’t see that coming!” moment. The Ramsey house has a lot of secrets but they’re not the only ones.
Thank you to CE Rose, Hera Books and NetGalley for the opportunity read this ARC.
Profile Image for Belinda.
59 reviews14 followers
April 8, 2021
A captivating story full of sorrow and longing…with a twist you don’t see coming.

The House of Hidden Secrets very eloquently tells a story of a family falling prey to the hands of their own trauma who are unable to analyse the cause, leading slowly to drift amongst themselves till a new housekeeper and her young daughter arrive at the Ramsey Mansion.

There are plenty of mysteries to be solved that compelled me to keep reading. Every page oozes emotion and tension, with characters that are frail, fickle and completely unique that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

This book had me gripped till the final chilling chapter.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for this advanced readers copy.

Profile Image for Federica.
425 reviews21 followers
March 28, 2021
8First of all let me say that the cover of this book is really beautiful, it definitely cought my eye when I was browsing the books on NetGalley.
This book is a slow burn, then eventually picks up and then you can't put it down anymore because you want to know what's going on and you are hooked by all the secrets everyone involved in the story has.
Very, very good psychological thriller, very well written, interesting characters, gripping plot. Definitely recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,636 reviews177 followers
April 19, 2021
I agonised over my rating for this book. The first 75%? 3 stars. The last quarter? Easily 4 stars. You see, it was only until this final section that I really became interested in the narrative. For the majority, I thought the story plodded along with too much description and barely any suspense.

The cover draws you in as does Serena to the housekeeper vacancy at Ramsay Hall. When Serena arrives on the doorstep, eyebrows are naturally raised by her little daughter in tow as well. However, Serena is determined to make a success of this position and enthusiastically convinces Hayden that her daughter, Lana, will not jeopardise her housekeeping duties.

So, relief: Serena and Lana have somewhere to stay. The relief is born from the fact it is obvious that Serena is escaping a troubled background and Ramsay Hall offers a sanctuary that is much-needed. As the plot progresses, we begin to learn more about the men of Ramsay Hall. Just like Serena, they all cannot rest easy. Hugh is seemingly disowned by his elderly father and is instead camped out in a damp caravan on a nearby farm. It is not entirely clear why the relationship between father and son is so strained. Of course, Rose only provides these clues as the narrative develops. In the meantime, we see that Jack, the eldest son, is like the go-between for the two; trying to appease each to hold the family together.

Despite this, Jack is as messed up as the other characters. I found his story the most interesting of all and I think this is because it is prevalent throughout the novel. For Hugh, Hayden and Serena, it is only until the enjoyable part of the novel (ie, 75% in), that their secrets are truly revealed. I think this explains why I felt so detached from these characters. I could not make a connection with them because I did not feel like I truly knew who they were. Although the writer focuses on Hugh, Serena and Jack in turn through the different chapters, the read still felt like a lot of effort. I was hoping for suspense and mystery with the implied secrets; the pace only ramps up at the end when the revelations come thick and fast.

For the closing however, I thought Rose writes superbly. I was interested and had so many questions at the end. The writer kept me guessing and I had no idea the direction that the plot was headed in. I think this definitely made the story more redeemable at the end; it’s a shame this wasn’t the same throughout the rest of the story. I also liked the fact that Serena had as many ghosts in her closet at the men of Ramsay Hall, suggesting that actually, how different they may seem, there were more connections below the surface than they realised.

Overall, for a book of the mystery and suspense genre, I do think there are better ones out there. However, if you are interested in a slow-burner that really gets you at the end, then this is the perfect candidate.

With thanks to Hera books and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Foxy Vixen.
322 reviews11 followers
April 7, 2023
This takes place in a small village outside of London called Ramsey Hall. A housekeeper with secrets of her own applies for a job at Ramsey Hall with her 4 year old in tow.
Laney likes to play in the maze which is a perfect description of this thriller! So many twists and turns, secrets and lies! Remind me I don’t want to visit Ramsey Hall the next time I’m in England!

And … who the heck is Aslan?
Profile Image for StinaStaffymum.
1,471 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2021
I was firstly drawn to the stunning cover of this book which promised a dark and twisted tale that verged on being a gothic thriller. The slow burning prose is atmospheric and almost sinister in part that builds to a climatic end in which secrets continue to remain hidden to all but the reader. But what of those secrets? Whose secrets? And what secrets are they? Enter if you dare and all will be revealed...

Serena Green is a woman with secrets, fleeing danger and intent on making a new life for herself and her 4 year old daughter Lana. Accepting a job as temporary housekeeper for elderly patriarch Hayden Ramsay, who is recovering from a fall and hip replacement, Serena and Lana move into the sprawling country mansion miles away from whence she came. The isolation is perfect for her needs as she endeavours to keep her daughter safe. But Ramsay Hall is filled to the brim with secrets of its own leaving Serena pondering whether Hayden and his sons Jack and Hugh are more dangerous that they at first appear.

In a cottage set up like a dolls house on a bigger scale, Serena and Lana make their home. That is, until older son Jack returns from Manchester at the end of the week having made silk and becoming the youngest man to achieve the level of QC. He learns from younger brother Hugh that their father has taken on a housekeeper for the interim and that they are living in the cottage. Jack is speechless. No one has entered that cottage since...well, for two years. It has sat empty and neglected, and the unexpected arrival of a housekeeper they didn't need now taking up residence there...it was almost too much for him. He didn't need to see or speak to them anyway, since he spent most of his time in chambers or in court during the week...and then the rest he could just get himself blotto anyway.

And then he saw Lana. No one said she had a little girl. As soon as he saw her, he couldn't take his eyes off her. If he could just have one touch, one smell of her skin and her innocence...but no. He mustn't. He couldn't go back there.

It was Hugh who took Lana under his wing, reading to her and playing with her. He was like a man-child himself and his excitement in even the little things brought a happiness to Lana's face that Serena hadn't seen in sometime. She knew then that her daughter was safe while she worked. If not Hugh, then it was the silent companionship of Lexie who had not barked once the whole time they had been there. Lana and Lexie spent their days together when Hugh was busy working on a neighbouring farm where he had been mysteriously banished to. For whatever reason, Serena didn't know and it wasn't her business.

And then there was Hayden, the elderly father and patriarch of the estate. He was friendly and companionable that Serena felt at ease in his presence. He would often encourage her to take a drink with him and even read a book together over which they could talk and dissect it. But it seems even Hayden has secrets. Serena discovers a file hidden beneath his mattress when changing the sheets one day, only glancing at it before being summoned elsewhere. But if she spied were true...then it was a game-changer. But was it her business to interfere?

Then when Jack returns to Ramsay Hall at the end of the week, Serena suddenly takes ill and, without much explanation, pleads him for help. Then seemingly overnight the two of them are no longer avoiding each other and Serena isn't afraid of him anymore. In fact, she desires him. There is something alluring about his broodiness which ultimately leads her to his bed. But when Lana discovers a bloodstained pink nightie which was obviously a child's and asks her mother about it, Serena mind goes into overdrive. A child's nightie? Hidden away in his bathroom where no one could find it? What does it mean? And how dare Jack keep this from her?

And when she sees him outside in the garden with Lana in his arms, kissing the top of her head, she flies into a rage screaming "Get away from her! Don't touch her!"

All the while, an undercurrent has been simmering below the surface in Ramsay Hall. Secrets that have remained secret for far too long. But should they revealed? And at what cost? And what of the mysterious happenings? The garage that caught fire. Lexie's sudden injury, limping on occasion. Those hidden papers in Hayden's room.

But when one of them starts digging into Serena's past threatening to reveal her secrets, what choice does she have left? And what secrets will she uncover in the process?

A dark and compelling tale, THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS has plenty of mysteries to be solved and secrets to uncover filled with a palpable tension with frail and fickle characters. It is a slow burn but it also has something addictive about it as you delve deeper into its hidden depths.

Told by the alternating perspectives of Serena, Jack and Hugh, the story that unfolds drip-feeds us enough to keep us turning the pages and keep us puzzled at the same time. It seems everyone in the story has secrets...including the house. There was certainly an eerie undertone but it wasn't as creepy as I had anticipated it to be. In fact, the story seemed to meander with the promise of secrets but no real thrills or chills.

THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS is a book with a hidden agenda as well but sure to keep readers engaged throughout. The twist at the end was one I thought was a clever touch to remain in keeping with the whole dark and atmospheric eeriness. I actually didn't see it coming but it made perfect sense in a perfectly twisted way. I applaud the author for its inclusion.

A different kind of tale, THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS verges on gothic but is perfect for fans of slow burn psychological thrillers.

C.E. Rose is the pseudonym for thriller writer Caroline England and THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS is her first under that name.

I would like to thank #CERose, #CarolineEngland, #RachelsRandomResources< b>Netgalley and #HeraBooks for an ARC of #TheHouseOfHiddenSecrets in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Profile Image for Tina B..
155 reviews29 followers
April 8, 2021
Disturbing, eerie, and immensely captivating, “The House of Hidden Secrets” by CE Rose is a slow burning, gothic thriller that’ll send shivers down your spine from the first minute Serena steps inside Ramsey Hall. CE Rose’s writing is nothing short of masterful. Rich with details, the setting creates the ominous tone for the book. The old mansion. The dark rooms. Even the dust on the furniture. The complex, multi-faceted characters add to the vibe. The Ramsey men are morose and perhaps sinister. Serena and her daughter are sweet, yet shrouded in fear and mystery. There’s something to like about all of the characters, but the setting along with the continual (but gentle) twists make you doubt if you should.

Secrets run dark and deep in this book. They lurk like ghosts in the shadows and reveal themselves slowly in bits and pieces over the chapters. Once you think you’ve figured out what the characters are hiding, another twist throws you off track again. You’ll be surprised when the truth about the past is finally revealed — and shocked by who’s been keeping the darkest secrets all along.

Honestly, when I first started reading “The House of Hidden Secrets”, I didn’t think I was going to like it. The first few chapters felt bogged down by descriptions. Because the story is told from Serena, Jack, and Hugh’s points of view, it was also slightly difficult to sink into. But only for the first few chapters. I was hooked before I knew it! The story unravels slowly, but every scene and every chapter is so compelling that I didn’t want it to end.

CE Rose is the pen name of author Caroline England (aka Caro Land). Having read all of her books to date, “The House of Hidden Secrets” is now my new favorite.

Thank you to Hera Books and CE Rose for the gifted ARC.
Profile Image for oohlalabooks.
943 reviews165 followers
February 23, 2021
Serena Green answers an ad for a housekeeper at a Ramsey Hall. She arrives with her four year old daughter, Lana, to a grand estate. Hayden Ramsey is a wealthy widower recovering from a broken hip. Hayden has two sons, Jack & Hugh, who are surprised about the ad and are less than thrilled with the sight of Serena and Lana. But as days goes by, everyone in the house gets along and secrets begin to unravel! It is a slow build up with multiple POVs. There’s a few twists to keep the suspense going. Thank you to NetGalley, Hera Books, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Jess.
18 reviews4 followers
April 17, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC for my honest review - this book releases 4/12/21!
The book starts off slow but creepy and tense. I didn't trust the Ramsay men and their house was uncomfortable. I was scared for Serena's daughter the whole time. The story seemed to switch from a thriller to a romance novel mid-way; it felt a bit disconnected and I was confused with the decisions made by characters. I liked the way everything connected by the end but still felt like I had missed pieces of the story or wanted a little bit more.
Profile Image for Caroline Venables.
627 reviews8 followers
April 29, 2021
As the title suggests Serena and her daughter encounter a house with a strange past when she takes up the post of housekeeper at Ramsay Hall.

The book is told from three perspectives, Serena and the two sons Hugh and Jack, whose father lives at the hall. As the book goes on we can see how the characters have difficult pasts, not everything is revealed so we are left to guess a lot of things throughout.

I enjoyed taking the clues the author weaves through the chapters and tried to guess what the outcome of the individual characters would be.

I found this a really interesting read with an almost historic feel to it.
Profile Image for Eeva.
856 reviews48 followers
March 16, 2021
The premise of this book sounded so exciting and I couldn't wait to get into it. Also look at this cover - it's great and very promising.
Unfortunately this book, to me, totally missed the mark.
First half of the book is basicaly a built up for later events. It's wouldn't be bad if it were more idk exciting, twisty or surprising. Then it randomly switches into romance and then at the end again into thriller. This, unfortunately messed up the pace and failed to keep me interested.
The three different POVs (one of them totally unnecessary) and random timelines jumps also break the pace and make it diffucult to track the plot.
The main plot twist isn't as twisty as it's supposed to be and it's pretty predictable. Some of the twists are super random.

I know that's not the author first book but sometimes it felt that way, as the writing even though not being bad it's not great either.



I received a copy from the Publisher in an exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Christy.
42 reviews
May 26, 2023
Wow, what a story. Twists, turns, and murder.
Profile Image for Shirley McAllister.
1,087 reviews167 followers
March 28, 2021
For the Safety of the Child

This book kept me guessing what was going to happen next all the way through the book. There was a lot of secrets held by the characters in the book, and some that will stay secret.

It was about Serena an abused wife that takes a job as a housekeeper for an elderly man Hayden Ramsey. She has a daughter Lana who is four years old. Hayden lives in his large farmhouse with his two sons Jack and Hugh. It appears they all have secrets and they are all running away from something or someone. Are Serena and Lana safe or should she fear the secrets kept in the house? What of her own secrets will they be revealed? A few twist and turns going on and a romance between Jack and Serena, and between Hugh and Robbie.

This is a good read if you like psychological thrillers and Romance. It has a twist at the end you won't see coming.

I did enjoy reading the book and would recommend it.

Thanks to C.E. Rose, Hera Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sarah Neeson.
199 reviews6 followers
April 16, 2021
What a story. Just as the title suggests there are so many layers of secrets in Ramsey Hall that every time you think you are beginning to unravel them another twist happens. I was gripped to the story right from the explosive prologue, wondering who’s point of view it was written from and who they had killed?

I enjoyed watching the character development of Serena, Hugh and Jack and seeing how each came to be where they were. Desperate to get more answers I couldn’t put the book down but kept getting more questions raised. Throughout the story I felt my loyalties constantly challenged and changing between the characters.

I would recommend this book and will keep an eye out for further books by C E Rose in future.
Profile Image for CaraDico.
412 reviews14 followers
September 11, 2021
"Thank you to Hera Books, CE Rose and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review"

Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...

The House of Hidden Secrets is the first book I’ve read by C.E. Rose, a new author to me. The setting is a quiet country estate in a small village in the UK. Serena has accepted a position taking care of an older man, who has fallen, Hayden.

He has two middle-aged sons, Jack and Hugh, and his wife died many years ago. While Hugh seems disconnected and simple, Jack seems angry.

There are secrets in the house which are alluded to in the first chapter.

We learn Serena, who has arrived with her 4yo daughter Lana, is hiding from her abusive husband. Hugh’s best friend has arrived from Australia, with secrets of his own. And Jack, the oldest, who has just been promoted to a prominent position within the courts, seems bitter towards Serena with no obvious reason. Hayden, while at first welcoming, grows more mysterious and threatening as time moves on with Serena as his caretaker. While his actions appear precise and non-threatening, there is also an edge which can’t be ignored.

Jack is as mysterious as Hugh and Hayden, and Serena falls deeply in love with him. Though the reader is never quite sure if Jack’s character is quite what it seems, a successful attorney with the best intentions towards Serena and Lana. I think Jack is the most interesting character in The House of Hidden Secrets. Though the secrets of the manor are not revealed until the last 25% of the novel, this book is a very slow burn. Another thing I found interesting in this book is Hugh’s relationship with Hayden. While Hugh’s “simple” way of thinking is never explained in the book, his thoughts and perspective on different situations are fascinating. There is a deep chasm in his relationship with his Father, which is revealed later on in the book, when Serena realizes that all is not what it seems with this family.

As a reader, I always find it fascinating reading about other cultures. Especially their takes on different situations, such as homosexuality or domestic violence. While it may seem disconnecting for the reader, realizing that for some parts of the world, homosexuality is a deep sin, I find interesting and the connection to the characters, stronger. There are parts of this novel that C.E. Rose has left vague, though I think that was her intention. It is also heavy with British dialect which can be off-putting to readers who are not from that country.

The House of Hidden Secrets is well plotted and keeps the reader interested and wanting to read more. All the characters are multidimensional. While the reveals at the end are surprising, they are not shocking. I am always excited when I find a new author to read and I look forward to more of her books.
Profile Image for Karen Reed.
31 reviews
August 6, 2023
Loved this book but was disappointed in the last few pages by the main character who I had grown to love hence the 4 stars
Profile Image for Beth Ashcroft.
181 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2023
It was okay, last 50 pages unravelled all the twists and turns which were good.

It was so slow and I got bored in parts, this could've been a novella
Profile Image for Annie Starr.
95 reviews3 followers
March 9, 2021
I had really mixed feelings about this book. The first half felt like it drug on. I was leaning towards a DNF. I just couldn’t get into it. The last half redeemed itself though, the ending was great. The twists made it worth the struggle to get into it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC on this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
1,093 reviews36 followers
April 2, 2021
Publishing date: April 14th, 2021

CW: domestic abuse, violence, manipulation/gaslighting

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Serena and her 4-year-old daughter Lana arrive at Ramsey Hall, home of the wealthy Hayden Ramsey, and he hires her on the spot to become the new housekeeper. Hayden Ramsey has two adult sons, Hugh and Jack, who also live at Ramsey Hall. Told from alternating perspectives, we discover that everyone seems to be hiding something... from the life Serena escaped, the past Jack won't admit to, and the secrets Hugh is keeping, can anyone be trusted within these walls?

The first half of this story was interesting, but not twisty or "thrilling." The author was setting the stage with all required information, but it was never dull. As things built up, I found myself hoping that certain characters weren't secretly evil and that others wouldn't get hurt. I still have questions at the end, but the end was satisfying. This is definitely a solid 4.5/5 stars, and a great book for those who enjoy a slow burn.
Profile Image for Danielle Eason.
88 reviews6 followers
March 4, 2021
I just finished this book today. It took me a bit to get into it but once I was about halfway, things started happening and secrets came to light. Serena and her daughter are moving into a large estate to help the owner with housekeeping while he recovers from an injury. She meets both of his sons and begins to have feelings for one of them. This is a hard review to write because I don’t want to give away any of the twists and turns. If you love a good suspense novel, definitely pick this one up!
Profile Image for Kyndall Williams.
110 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2021
I would say that 3/4 of this book is basically just building up the characters and their relationship together. When reading, it makes it seem as if they're building up to a really big secret, which for me, never really came. Although I'm sure some readers will find the events shocking. The end 1/4 was the most intriguing for me.
Profile Image for Liz Connellan.
136 reviews12 followers
February 28, 2021
3.5 stars. The House of Hidden Secrets is an exciting physiological thriller that is tough to put down! It starts a little slow as we are introduced to each of the characters through 3 different points of view, but quickly builds to many twists and secrets that will keep you guessing till the end!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hera Books, and CE Rose, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of the House of Hidden Secrets.
Profile Image for Adeline.
2 reviews2 followers
April 12, 2023
Little did Serena Green know when she pulled up to the gates at Ramsey Hall with her 4 year old daughter Lana. She came to the estate to apply for the job of housekeeper as she was in great need of a job and the money it would provide for her and Lana. Surprisingly, she got the job after a brief interview with the wealthy widower Hayden Ramsey. Not only was she responsible to Hayden, but his sons Hugo and Jack. Hayden was charming and appeared to be easygoing. Serena liked him immediately. Hugo, the younger son, was easy to get to know and he was more than delighted to show Serena and Lana their new home. On the other hand, Serena was unsure of Jack and his behavior around Lana. It seemed that Jack was harboring resentment toward both Serena and Lana. What secrets could he be hiding?

As time goes on, Serena senses Ramsey Hall is filled with many ghastly secrets and even lies. She tries to rise above the unrest, but finds herself involved right in the middle. Serena wants to keep Lana safe, but can she without knowing what secrets are lurking? Serena finds herself and Lana in danger from those within Ramsey Hall. Will they escape with their lives or will they be forever part of the horrendous secrets Ramsey Hall has hidden from view for years?

Each chapter in the book drops hints that all is not well. Twists and turns appear when least expected. One wants to continue reading to find out what those secrets are and how Serena and Lana lives could be impacted.
Profile Image for seri jay.
25 reviews23 followers
April 16, 2021
a book you won't be able to put down.

serena and her young daughter lana, are on the run from their past and find refuge at ramsay hall, as serena takes on the role of a live in housekeeper/carer for an older man.

the way in which each seemingly normal character, hides a plethora of secrets as a result of being put in extraordinarily difficult situations, really pulls you deep into the storyline.

i was absolutely absorbed in the goings on at ramsay hall.

this psychological thriller was a never ending journey of twists and turns. from the very first paragraph to the last, the author had you hanging onto her every word.
Profile Image for Misfits farm.
2,099 reviews86 followers
March 3, 2021
Serena has arrived with her young daughter Lana to take up the place of temporary housekeeper whilst Hayden gets back on his feet after a hip operation. Hayden has two sons Jack and Hugh. Jack lives with his father and works as a barrister having just got silk. Jack has his demons however about his mother whom they lost many years ago and about his ex-wife. Hugh was thrown out of the house and now works at the local farm, being told to stand on his own two feet. He now lives in a mobile home on the farm. When his close friend comes home from Australia the secrets of the past begin to emerge. Serena has escaped from what sounds like domestic violence- she has a vivid scar on her chest that is recent. A house of secrets and lives being led based on them. This is a clever and captivating premise. I won’t say too much so as not to give anything away. Chapters are told from Hugh, Jack and Serena’s point of view which gives an all round perspective.One that draws you in slowly and then kept me within the pages. A very different, interesting read.
Profile Image for Jen.
25 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2021
The House of Hidden Secerts is meant to be a quick, entertaining, and easy read.

From the onset of the book there is an undercurrent of tension between all the characters that makes you want more. Even the relationship between mother and daughter has an air of unknown.

Each chapeter is from the viewpoint of a different character. This allowed for the characters to become more complex and built the relationships in an intriguing way. The writing style also allows you to easily feel the emotions of the character CE Rose is writing as at the time (I got frustrated a few times by what they were going through).

Just as the title foreshadows, the story line is one where the chapters keep bringing more layers. The plot is slightly predictable but it is well thought out and enjoyable.
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