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Lost and Found #2
Secrets
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fear Thy Neighbor and No Way Out blends mystery and drama in this twisty new Lost and Found novel, as siblings Cullen and Luna set out to uncover the secrets behind a long-lost diary.
Every antique tells a story. Cullen and Luna Bodman learned that through their parents’ furniture business. Now, with their restoration shop and café, they often find themselves at the center of those stories, unraveling mysteries for their clients. The old steamer chest that Cullen receives from an anonymous source is fascinating in its own right. But inside, Cullen discovers more—a locked diary accompanied by a letter, asking for the diary to be restored to its rightful owner. Also in the trunk is a wooden box containing ticket stubs and an undated carnival flyer.
But everyone isn’t thrilled with Luna’s quest. Her budding relationship with U.S. Marshal Christopher Gaines comes under strain as he tries to talk her out of a wild goose chase. But intuition pushes her on, unveiling a surprising modern-day connection, and leading Cullen and Luna to wonder if the diary’s secrets still hold power today . . .
Every antique tells a story. Cullen and Luna Bodman learned that through their parents’ furniture business. Now, with their restoration shop and café, they often find themselves at the center of those stories, unraveling mysteries for their clients. The old steamer chest that Cullen receives from an anonymous source is fascinating in its own right. But inside, Cullen discovers more—a locked diary accompanied by a letter, asking for the diary to be restored to its rightful owner. Also in the trunk is a wooden box containing ticket stubs and an undated carnival flyer.
But everyone isn’t thrilled with Luna’s quest. Her budding relationship with U.S. Marshal Christopher Gaines comes under strain as he tries to talk her out of a wild goose chase. But intuition pushes her on, unveiling a surprising modern-day connection, and leading Cullen and Luna to wonder if the diary’s secrets still hold power today . . .
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2022
2891 people are currently reading
8711 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
424 books6,520 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews
August 31, 2022
I had a hard time getting into this one. There isn't much of a mystery. The book spends way too much time on the daily routines and lives of Cullen and Luna and their significant others, even up to the point of putting the uninteresting content of text messages into the story. It just wasn't compelling enough to hold my attention.
I received a free copy of this book from Kensington Books via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book from Kensington Books via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
September 17, 2022
This is the first book all year that I’ve truly been disinterested in and thought about quitting on more than one occasion. I received this complimentary from Influenster, which happens to be the second book I’ve read by Fern Michaels. This was described as a “mystery”, which is a huge stretch. The description on the back hardly matches the book itself; it’s like when you see a trailer/preview for a movie and that is the entire movie.
If you want to spare yourself the agony of reading a book about silly one-dimensional characters trying to decide if they’re going to pursue a romantic relationship to find out what the actual mystery is, simply read the last two chapters. It did “feel nice” to end with a “happily ever after” but I cannot for the life of me even understand what audience this book would best be for. Most of the book is written in a juvenile tone with a big word thrown in sporadically to make it seem more “sophisticated.”
Also, look. I know this book is recent (like from 3 months ago), but I don’t need a constant reminder with agendas indirectly being pushed (mentions of masks/pandemic, mention of the Me Too movement, mentioning use of pronouns and the LBGQT community, mentioning parents not really parenting their children, etc). There was so much unnecessary filler; like when you open a bag of chips and it’s mostly air.
I don’t understand how Fern Michaels is considered a best selling author. Final rating: 1.5/5 stars.
If you want to spare yourself the agony of reading a book about silly one-dimensional characters trying to decide if they’re going to pursue a romantic relationship to find out what the actual mystery is, simply read the last two chapters. It did “feel nice” to end with a “happily ever after” but I cannot for the life of me even understand what audience this book would best be for. Most of the book is written in a juvenile tone with a big word thrown in sporadically to make it seem more “sophisticated.”
Also, look. I know this book is recent (like from 3 months ago), but I don’t need a constant reminder with agendas indirectly being pushed (mentions of masks/pandemic, mention of the Me Too movement, mentioning use of pronouns and the LBGQT community, mentioning parents not really parenting their children, etc). There was so much unnecessary filler; like when you open a bag of chips and it’s mostly air.
I don’t understand how Fern Michaels is considered a best selling author. Final rating: 1.5/5 stars.
August 1, 2023
Audio Narration was superb!
I really wanted to like this book. I kept waiting for it to get better. It did not. I feel like there is a lot of fluff in this book. The plot is hella weak. I did enjoy the characters but it’s just not enough. This should have been a novella. I won’t be reading anymore of this series. Sad day
I really wanted to like this book. I kept waiting for it to get better. It did not. I feel like there is a lot of fluff in this book. The plot is hella weak. I did enjoy the characters but it’s just not enough. This should have been a novella. I won’t be reading anymore of this series. Sad day
November 22, 2022
A combination of strange events come together in this mystery story. Quick and light read.
July 11, 2022
This book was sold as a mystery, but it is not a mystery like kidnapping, or murder. It is a family history. It starts by a steam trunk being delivered to Cullen. The order is not signed, but a check for a thousand dollars is in closed. He has a shop next to his sister Luna, in an arts complex where artists work in many mediums. They sell their art, and offer classes. Many of the people that are crucial to the mystery work there. Luna has psychic powers by touch, visions, and through her readings. Tori, and her marriage is another mystery. She also goes to the same Art Center for a reading. A lot of the book is background on the art center, on Luna, and her brother’s infatuations with a sherif, and another woman who makes jewelry at the center. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. It just rambles on about their lives, the center, the Smokey steamer trunk, and it’s few contents. Lots of morning get togethers, lunches, and dinners between the artists. Then it would flip to Tori, and her life. Her husband, and her had drifted apart after their son moved out, and it became more obvious. There are a few surprises, and everything works out in the end. It is a slow burning romance, and a book about keeping up your conversation, and keeping yourself, and your spouse happy, and connected. I finished it, and it was well plotted, with characters you can relate to, but it was not some huge fast paced, exciting , and dangerous mystery. It just United a bunch of people from the past, and the present. Once I accepted it for what it was I finished the story. 3.5 stars rounded to a 4. It was an easy read, with a touch of clean romance, and a sweet ending. Sometimes what you fear, and hold as guilt , can keep you from looking for happiness. I’m glad that was not the case here. People helped each other, to find love, and answers, and joy in their lives. This is not a usual read for me.
October 23, 2022
Very disappointed in this book. It was more daily life & complaints (about EVERYTHING - covid, parents, rich people, police, technology, politics, IKEA furniture, romance.) Than mystery.
The ball doesn't even get rolling on the mystery until 57% of the way, and even then it is two pages. The next time the big mystery rolls around the book is already 90% done!! The entire mystery is 24 pages long & wrapped up incredibly easily.
The first book was such a delight & I was very looking forward to this one, but i barely made it through half way before being extremely frustrated.
There's almost no story & the characters are much more flat than they were last book.
The ball doesn't even get rolling on the mystery until 57% of the way, and even then it is two pages. The next time the big mystery rolls around the book is already 90% done!! The entire mystery is 24 pages long & wrapped up incredibly easily.
The first book was such a delight & I was very looking forward to this one, but i barely made it through half way before being extremely frustrated.
There's almost no story & the characters are much more flat than they were last book.
June 17, 2022
I like the characters, but there seems to be a lot of complaining in this book about how young people are no good these days and this is done by relatively young people in the story. I think the book constantly harping on how things were better in the past takes away from the story.
June 29, 2024
I kept waiting for something super exciting to happen but it was just a very mundane story. Like a whole 3 pages about packing for an overnight stay, or 5 pages about getting the house professionally cleaned and buying candles. I was a little bored tbh.
Even though I wasn’t super entertained, the ending tied all the loose ends up nicely. And everyone lived happily ever after.
I believe there are two more books in this series and I’m really not super inclined to read them. I guess we will see 🤷🏻♀️
Even though I wasn’t super entertained, the ending tied all the loose ends up nicely. And everyone lived happily ever after.
I believe there are two more books in this series and I’m really not super inclined to read them. I guess we will see 🤷🏻♀️
September 5, 2022
This story was not what I expected given that it was billed as a mystery. It was more of a puzzle and a light romance. The characters were likeable and overall it was an easy enjoyable read, written in simple and sometimes cliche dialogue.
September 14, 2025
Good read
Can't wait to read the next book. It's a love story mix into a mystery. I just love the combo.
Can't wait to read the next book. It's a love story mix into a mystery. I just love the combo.
July 17, 2025
Great read mystery love friendship make for a lovely story. Some psychic reading leads the group to solve the mystery of a trunk that arrives for restoration.
highly recommend!
highly recommend!
July 26, 2023
Good book, getting ready to read next one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2023
This was a good and fast read! I love a good Fern Michaels book!
October 13, 2022
First of all, as many people have stated, this book is NOT a mystery. Sure, there’s a little mystery involved but that’s minor compared to the rest of the book. Most of the book is just filled with a lot of fluff about the lives of the characters. If it had been described as more of a romance novel or something else, it would’ve made more sense but I had a hard time getting into it because it was just a lot of blah blah blah. The book could have been a lot shorter, honestly. The author literally spent a couple of pages with the main character giving her bf home design advice. Seriously?? I also felt like the characters were not very believable for the time period. Given the author is in her 80s, I can understand her commentary on modern things like today’s music not being as good as the past or people being “too sensitive” now but to have ALL of her characters say the same things just annoyed the crap outta me. The main character acted more like a boomer than an actual millennial and made it really hard for me to care about her. She’s supposedly in her 30s. I’m in my 40s myself and I just can’t understand her way of thinking. It felt so outdated to me and like it was just the author injecting her own opinions into these characters. It would’ve made more sense to make the main characters older or just living in a different time period other than now. Maybe it was her way of modernizing the story to appeal to a younger audience but it just did not work for me.
The writing was good and the storyline was ok, but it just wasn’t anything I really cared for. I got this book as part of a book club review thinking it might be fun to check out, but just not my cup of tea. I’m sure an older audience may appreciate it a bit more.
The writing was good and the storyline was ok, but it just wasn’t anything I really cared for. I got this book as part of a book club review thinking it might be fun to check out, but just not my cup of tea. I’m sure an older audience may appreciate it a bit more.
June 1, 2023
I liked the first book, but this one wasn't that great. It's tagged on Amazon as "a thrilling novel of suspense" but there aren't any thrills, and very little suspense to found here. There were, however, an abundance of annoyances.
A lot of the book focused on siblings Cullen and Luna dragging their feet and being angsty about their romantic interests. It was fine at first, but it quickly became tedious. (Couldn't Luna have simply told Cullen that she knew Chi Chi was definitely interested in him?! Ugh.)
Another thing that annoyed me was how often Cullen or Luna's dialogue is followed by he/she smirked (or snickered). Smirks and snickers = obnoxious... to me, at least... and those actions rarely matched the words they were saying.
Also: How is it that two young people could lament about things to such a degree that they seemed to be as elderly as Ellie?!
The mystery at the heart of the story, regarding the anonymously sent smoke-damaged trunk, was much ado about nothing. It was made very clear, right from the start, who was tied to the objects within the trunk. No mystery there. As to the sender of the trunk? That didn't take long to figure out, either.
Speaking of the sender: I was especially bothered by the fact that they included a $1000 money order as payment to Cullen for his restoration services. You can't remain anonymous AND pay with a money order because money orders have to be signed by the purchaser. The only way to remain anonymous would be to stick cash in an envelope.
The only actual mystery in the book is... who was the grey-haired woman in the diner, and why didn't anyone except (character) see her there?
Anyhoo...
I'm glad I read it. I just wish there hadn't been so many things that annoyed me.
A lot of the book focused on siblings Cullen and Luna dragging their feet and being angsty about their romantic interests. It was fine at first, but it quickly became tedious. (Couldn't Luna have simply told Cullen that she knew Chi Chi was definitely interested in him?! Ugh.)
Another thing that annoyed me was how often Cullen or Luna's dialogue is followed by he/she smirked (or snickered). Smirks and snickers = obnoxious... to me, at least... and those actions rarely matched the words they were saying.
Also: How is it that two young people could lament about things to such a degree that they seemed to be as elderly as Ellie?!
The mystery at the heart of the story, regarding the anonymously sent smoke-damaged trunk, was much ado about nothing. It was made very clear, right from the start, who was tied to the objects within the trunk. No mystery there. As to the sender of the trunk? That didn't take long to figure out, either.
Speaking of the sender: I was especially bothered by the fact that they included a $1000 money order as payment to Cullen for his restoration services. You can't remain anonymous AND pay with a money order because money orders have to be signed by the purchaser. The only way to remain anonymous would be to stick cash in an envelope.
The only actual mystery in the book is... who was the grey-haired woman in the diner, and why didn't anyone except (character) see her there?
Anyhoo...
I'm glad I read it. I just wish there hadn't been so many things that annoyed me.
September 4, 2022
This was my first time reading this author and it wasn’t what I expected from a mystery. I expected it to be more “Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys” but felt more like “Blue’s Clues”. Granted , it depends on where you look but this book was listed as “mystery “ but also “contemporary romance”, of which, I would say it’s the latter and the characters are ~late 20’s mid-30’s. I felt the end was predictable and felt short of the mystery side but was basic for romance (more focus on character’s relationships vs sleuthing). As this was the 2nd book in its series, I did feel it was independent and not that I had to have read the 1st (which was nice). If you read the story cover, you’d think this was about a mysterious trunk that arrived with specific instructions (mystery ensues), however, it really reads more like: mystery trunk mentioned…relationship fluff…oh yeah, the trunk thing…relationship again…shoot, forgot about the trunk…wrap up (remember to tie in the trunk)…solved! So…you might see why I was a bit disappointed.
That said, I do plan on reading other stories by this author, as I did like the flow and character development, but maybe not this series. There seems to be quite a few areas this author writes in (mystery, Christmas, romance), so I would try to focus more on the stand-alone mystery ones.
#goodreadsgiveaway
That said, I do plan on reading other stories by this author, as I did like the flow and character development, but maybe not this series. There seems to be quite a few areas this author writes in (mystery, Christmas, romance), so I would try to focus more on the stand-alone mystery ones.
#goodreadsgiveaway
September 27, 2022
I'm grateful that I was given a free copy of this book thanks to Influenster and Kensington Books. Opinions shared are mine.
I will read pretty much anything, especially when I'm bored and have nothing else in hand to read. In the days before the Kindle app, I've been known to read a car manual, the back of shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes -- basically whatever is within reach. This was my first Fern Michaels book, and it will probably be the only one I read (unless I'm given another free copy...as mentioned, I'll read pretty much anything.) This was like reading The Magic Treehouse for grownups. There were a few things I liked about the book, including the whole woo-woo paranormal skills that Luna flaunted, her sweet dog Wiley, and the Asheville setting. Otherwise, it was boring and tedious. There were so many sentence fragments that I started wondering if that is now encouraged in professional writing. Also, one of the main character's names was misspelled. Overall, it was an underwhelming experience.
I will read pretty much anything, especially when I'm bored and have nothing else in hand to read. In the days before the Kindle app, I've been known to read a car manual, the back of shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes -- basically whatever is within reach. This was my first Fern Michaels book, and it will probably be the only one I read (unless I'm given another free copy...as mentioned, I'll read pretty much anything.) This was like reading The Magic Treehouse for grownups. There were a few things I liked about the book, including the whole woo-woo paranormal skills that Luna flaunted, her sweet dog Wiley, and the Asheville setting. Otherwise, it was boring and tedious. There were so many sentence fragments that I started wondering if that is now encouraged in professional writing. Also, one of the main character's names was misspelled. Overall, it was an underwhelming experience.
August 24, 2022
Tori, 38 and unhappily married, learns she is pregnant and she's not sure about her future. Luna is a psychic who runs Namaste Cafe in the Stillwell Art Center and her brother Cullen Bodman runs Bodman-Antiques-Retro-Restoration shop in the same center. Ellis Stillwell has designed the center, with it's state of the art security features, as a place for artists to work and display or sell their creations. Cullen receives a mysterious delivery of a very smoky scented steamer trunk with a note asking for it to be repaired and any contents returned with it; there is no key for the lock. A diary is discovered inside and Luna wants to investigate who it belongs to. She gets help from U S Marshall, Chris Gaines, unraveling the secret of the trunk. This leads to an unexpected reunion and more than one new romance.
I won a copy of this intriguing story and I am very glad as I absolutely loved meeting the characters and learning their secrets.
I won a copy of this intriguing story and I am very glad as I absolutely loved meeting the characters and learning their secrets.
April 4, 2022
Secrets by Fern Michaels, published by Kensington Books, is book two in the Lost and Found Series. Every book could be read as a stand-alone. But there are cross-overs and I recommend to read the books in order. The previous book is Hidden, the first adventure of Cullen and Luna.
Luna and Cullen's story continues.
Cullen is a renowned restaurateur, Luna runs a cafe and dabbles in pnr/ psychic. She, Cullen and Gaines built a bond and now they're up to the next case/ adventure/ mystery.
A family tragedy, a chest, glimpses into the lives of strangers. This complex slow burn is a fantastic read, unputdownable, outstanding.
Luna and Cullen's story continues.
Cullen is a renowned restaurateur, Luna runs a cafe and dabbles in pnr/ psychic. She, Cullen and Gaines built a bond and now they're up to the next case/ adventure/ mystery.
A family tragedy, a chest, glimpses into the lives of strangers. This complex slow burn is a fantastic read, unputdownable, outstanding.
August 8, 2022
I received this book through a giveaway on Goodreads and was so excited to read it. I was in the mood for a good suspenseful mystery and the description on the back cover sounded promising. The story started out interesting with the delivery of a mysterious trunk but then it seemed like the trunk fell to the wayside and the romantic relationships of the characters became the main focus of the story. I really wanted the story mainly about the mystery of the trunk so I was disappointed in Secrets.
September 9, 2022
Unfortunately- it’s a No No No for me. I rarely feel so adamant about not reading a book. But today is that day. I would NOT recommend this book to anyone. I love mysteries but not this one. I’m totally not into paranormal or psychic activities so this has made it into my DO NOT READ section.
I appreciate the book provided without charge from Between the Chapters, Kensington Books, and author Feen Michaels. Of course, I mean no disrespect, but at times, there are just books that you do not enjoy. This is one of them.
I appreciate the book provided without charge from Between the Chapters, Kensington Books, and author Feen Michaels. Of course, I mean no disrespect, but at times, there are just books that you do not enjoy. This is one of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2022
This book was okay, this book was suggested to me by my mom. Unfortunately, I have some cons, the characters in the book are being described to be in their late 30 year olds...but their personality resonates in their early 20s. Especially the character Luna, I cant get passed how silly she sounds and some of the description of things sometimes... felt blah. Overall though, I liked the story and different love interests throughout, but seemed to have rushed the ending all in one chapter towards the end, but it was okay. Meh.
October 30, 2022
Even though I finished this book doesn’t mean I liked it, it meant I was just anxious to get it over with. It took me a longer time to finish because I read another book while half way through this. I found too many unrealistic scenarios and feel it better suited for younger readers. There was really no mystery and I felt that even the author realized this when every scenario was wrapped up in the last few pages. I guess it would be a nice summer read when you want to just relax and not tax your brain much.
May 4, 2023
Fluff. Fluff. And more Fluff. I bought this book in Nashville in Oct. It was an emergency read 'cause I had just finished my poolside book. Didn't finish it then. Wasn't that interesting. It came with me to Hawaii for beachside reading. Came home unfinished for same reason. Here we are 7 months later and finally finished it on another beach. Pushed myself. Boring, boring book. I guess it's a good beach book, but the characters are too good to be true, their plot lines too sticky sweet, and the outcomes, while nice in real life, become bad literature.
September 12, 2022
The premise of the book, an old trunk and a locked diary, promised an intriguing read. However as the the book moved along it became more and more involved with the love life of the main characters and the intriguing mysteries faded into the background. Added to this, the characters were not that appealing to me. The end tied up the loose ends in a rather unlikely manner that left me feeling somewhat ho hum.
September 22, 2022
I received this book for free from Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review…and they may regret that. This book was not good - the dialogue felt far too basic for a book meant for adults. This was meant to be a mystery, but we spent most of our time watching people in their thirties behave like middle school students with crushes. #contest #ReadSecretsbyFernMichaels #influensterbookclub @Influenster @KensingtonBooks
November 6, 2022
This will probably be a super unpopular review. I was not impressed with this book, however I can see a niche for some people. Way too much focus on relationships, and honestly, really unrealistic and cheesy. There was very little to the actual story, it was more grown ups discussing relationships in almost a middle school like way. Like I said, may be for some people as it's pretty wholesome and innocent, but I feel it lacked any adult maturity.
January 2, 2023
This is definitely not a mystery book. It is more like 20% mystery 80% romance. There were chapters I skipped because I was looking for more of the mystery part but its all just romance. The mystery part were just at the start and end of the book. Thought it was mystery book because of cover of the book, I blindly went into this. Even if it is a romance book, it still feels meh. Cheesy but it is a bit dragging in my opinion.
Though it is part of a series or its Book 2, it is a standalone book.
Though it is part of a series or its Book 2, it is a standalone book.
September 6, 2022
I won this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway. This is the first thing I've read by the author.
It's a stretch to call this a mystery. Anyone paying attention to the first few chapters easily solves the first part and by the halfway point it is all pretty obvious. This a really more of a book about blossoming relationship. The flow and pacing aren't bad.
It's a stretch to call this a mystery. Anyone paying attention to the first few chapters easily solves the first part and by the halfway point it is all pretty obvious. This a really more of a book about blossoming relationship. The flow and pacing aren't bad.
April 13, 2023
This book follows Luna (a psychic) and her brother a furniture repairman while they try to discover the owner of a mystery trunk and the history tied to it. The mystery was lacking and the book spent too long talking about the daily occurrences of the main characters. The mystery is solved in the last 40 pages, very lack luster.
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