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Bailey Family #2
The Family Secret
Three sisters. One luxury vacation. And the perfect murder…
It was meant to be the perfect escape, a gorgeous winter vacation for sisters Sasha, Erin and Leah Bailey in the snowy French alps and a chance to put their complicated pasts behind them.
But before the holiday has even started, the body of someone close to them is found in an abandoned chalet nearby to their own luxurious accommodation in an exclusive ski resort.
All three sisters are hiding a dangerous secret…
Sasha is a woman on the edge.
Erin has the most to lose.
Leah isn’t as innocent as she looks.
Which one of them is prepared to destroy their family to stop the shocking truth from surfacing? And who would kill to protect their lies?
It was meant to be the perfect escape, a gorgeous winter vacation for sisters Sasha, Erin and Leah Bailey in the snowy French alps and a chance to put their complicated pasts behind them.
But before the holiday has even started, the body of someone close to them is found in an abandoned chalet nearby to their own luxurious accommodation in an exclusive ski resort.
All three sisters are hiding a dangerous secret…
Sasha is a woman on the edge.
Erin has the most to lose.
Leah isn’t as innocent as she looks.
Which one of them is prepared to destroy their family to stop the shocking truth from surfacing? And who would kill to protect their lies?
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2023
1689 people are currently reading
1636 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
August 27, 2024
I enjoyed the second instalment in this series and glad that I have pre-ordered the third.
Although this could be standalone I feel like you would be missing a huge part of the relationship explanations between the family if you don’t read the first book before this one.
Again short chapters, twists and turns a real popcorn thriller. I know not for some people, but I do really enjoy them!
Nowhere near as good as the first book and a middle of the road second book but now onto reading my birthday and Christmas books, so the good reading should continue!
Although this could be standalone I feel like you would be missing a huge part of the relationship explanations between the family if you don’t read the first book before this one.
Again short chapters, twists and turns a real popcorn thriller. I know not for some people, but I do really enjoy them!
Nowhere near as good as the first book and a middle of the road second book but now onto reading my birthday and Christmas books, so the good reading should continue!
December 21, 2025
After reading the series debut as part of my Christmas reading, I could not stop. Mikayla Davids has a knack for writing and it's become obsessive, so much so that I have to see how things would turn out with this second novel. The Bailey family are still smarting after the events of the Christmas party last month. A murder, an arrest, and the dramatic fallout. Now, the elder Bailey has her three grown daughters and three grandchildren with her at a chalet in the French Alps, a form of reset needed to clear the air. Someone obviously did not get the memo, as the body of someone close to them is found bludgeoned to death on the chalet grounds. Secrets about what happened at the party are still circling around, making this new murder all the more troubling and the list of suspects quite strong. Was it Sasha, the eldest, who discovered a truth about her husband recently? Could it have been Erin, the middle child, who hosted the party and has been sitting on significant wealth? Maybe Leah, the baby of the three, whose influencer work in Australia has led to some uninvited visitors on the other side of the world? Maybe the matriarch, Nadia, who just wants to keep her family from disintegrating? Whatever is going on, tension runs high and the crime has yet to be reported to the authorities. Mikayla Davids spins another story with an ending no one saw coming.
After finding a Christmas novella by Mikayla Davids, I added her to my list of authors worthy of further exploration, which led me to read the holiday-themed series debut. Davids can write and I cannot get enough of her work. The narrative is intense from the opening pages, creating confusion and trying to handle the many revelations from the debut. Davids builds on that last story by creating one here that ensures the reader will not be able to stop forging ahead. Short chapters and a great foundation help push things along, creating added momentum for this psychological thriller. This was a stellar continuation for the Bailey women, peppering in more distrust and scandal that will surely have to be handled in the next instalment.
Characters present themselves and evolve with a steady dose of development. Those who have read the debut (and why would you not before grabbing this one?) know the backstory, which is essential to understanding everyone in this piece. As the story rushes along, there is much left to wonder about all the Bailey women and those around whom they are surrounded. This adds an intensity to things and leaves the reader begging to learn as much as possible, with a murderer in their midst. Each chapter adds to the characters, as well as their tense interactions.
Surprises emerge from the outset, much like with the series debut. This ensures the ideal thriller awaits the curious reader. More family drama and murderous interactions provide twists like no other for the attentive reader. I could not turn a page without gasping or wondering how what I was reading might add to the larger story that was unfolding. Mikayla Davids knows how to write, of that there is no doubt. I am so eager to delve into the next novel to see how things resolve and what new threads will be left blowing in the wind.
Kudos, Madam Davids, for another addictive read!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
After finding a Christmas novella by Mikayla Davids, I added her to my list of authors worthy of further exploration, which led me to read the holiday-themed series debut. Davids can write and I cannot get enough of her work. The narrative is intense from the opening pages, creating confusion and trying to handle the many revelations from the debut. Davids builds on that last story by creating one here that ensures the reader will not be able to stop forging ahead. Short chapters and a great foundation help push things along, creating added momentum for this psychological thriller. This was a stellar continuation for the Bailey women, peppering in more distrust and scandal that will surely have to be handled in the next instalment.
Characters present themselves and evolve with a steady dose of development. Those who have read the debut (and why would you not before grabbing this one?) know the backstory, which is essential to understanding everyone in this piece. As the story rushes along, there is much left to wonder about all the Bailey women and those around whom they are surrounded. This adds an intensity to things and leaves the reader begging to learn as much as possible, with a murderer in their midst. Each chapter adds to the characters, as well as their tense interactions.
Surprises emerge from the outset, much like with the series debut. This ensures the ideal thriller awaits the curious reader. More family drama and murderous interactions provide twists like no other for the attentive reader. I could not turn a page without gasping or wondering how what I was reading might add to the larger story that was unfolding. Mikayla Davids knows how to write, of that there is no doubt. I am so eager to delve into the next novel to see how things resolve and what new threads will be left blowing in the wind.
Kudos, Madam Davids, for another addictive read!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
November 10, 2024
4.5! This series has been so entertaining. Each book works as a standalone, but once you read one, you'll want to read them all.
The Bailey family know how to be dramatic, and they are pretty messed up in the most dysfunctional way. Be warned, though, with this family revenge is always on the menu no matter the family occasion. Someone will end up dead!
I loved the setting of this one at a ski resort as you get that trapped feeling and sense of foreboding. I enjoy how the story is told from multiple perspectives. Especially as the characters all try to make sense of the explosive secrets and lies from book one. You would like to think they would use this break to come together and support one another, but you'd be mistaken. In this family, it is hard to know who you should be rooting for as they all make bad decisions and have their unlikable moments. Yet there is something captivating about the sisters and their mother that has kept me coming back for more. I knew some of the twists and turns as I'd already read book three but I still loved it!
I love the writing style as it is fast-paced and keeps you turning the pages to find out what is going on. I'll definitely keep up with the authors work!
With thanks to the author and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
The Bailey family know how to be dramatic, and they are pretty messed up in the most dysfunctional way. Be warned, though, with this family revenge is always on the menu no matter the family occasion. Someone will end up dead!
I loved the setting of this one at a ski resort as you get that trapped feeling and sense of foreboding. I enjoy how the story is told from multiple perspectives. Especially as the characters all try to make sense of the explosive secrets and lies from book one. You would like to think they would use this break to come together and support one another, but you'd be mistaken. In this family, it is hard to know who you should be rooting for as they all make bad decisions and have their unlikable moments. Yet there is something captivating about the sisters and their mother that has kept me coming back for more. I knew some of the twists and turns as I'd already read book three but I still loved it!
I love the writing style as it is fast-paced and keeps you turning the pages to find out what is going on. I'll definitely keep up with the authors work!
With thanks to the author and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
February 5, 2025
Upgrading to 4.5 since I found I kept thinking about some of the events :)
Lots of intrigue in this enjoyable, multi-POV family thriller. This is one stressed-out family!
I enjoyed the setting in the snowy ski resort in the French Alps, and Ms. Davids takes full advantage of this.
Warning (of sorts)... You'll definitely want to go straight into book 3!
Lots of intrigue in this enjoyable, multi-POV family thriller. This is one stressed-out family!
I enjoyed the setting in the snowy ski resort in the French Alps, and Ms. Davids takes full advantage of this.
Warning (of sorts)... You'll definitely want to go straight into book 3!
May 17, 2024
I cannot wait for #3 to come out and see the ending to this story! Happy reading
February 7, 2025
Lots of suspenseful moments and questions, that eventually get answered. The short chapters keep it fast pace and easy to read.
September 11, 2023
The Bailey family return in this sequel to The Christmas Party, let the lies and secrets commence.
After the events of the Christmas Party, Erin takes her mum, sisters and their children to her lodge at a ski resort to reconnect.. but there are other motives at play.
Blackmail, murder and scheming - who will get out of this holiday alive?
'There are plenty of family secrets amongst the Turners and the Baileys, and they all seem to be unravelling at once'
𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
What a ride, if you thought things couldn't get worse for the Bailey's after The Christmas Party, then you're very wrong. I loved the POVs from each character, finding out what they were hiding and what their schemes are, especially Erin.
We kick off right after the first book so it's good to read them in order, but there also is recap in this book too about those events.
The twists kept coming and you had no idea what was coming next. If you enjoy family drama with lots of secrets and lies, then this series is definitely for you!
I can't wait to find out more in the next book, the ending definitely keeps you guessing!
'Because we've had enough rivalries and secrets bubbling under the surface of this family to last a lifetime. And I don't want history repeating itself'.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for this copy. This review is voluntary.
After the events of the Christmas Party, Erin takes her mum, sisters and their children to her lodge at a ski resort to reconnect.. but there are other motives at play.
Blackmail, murder and scheming - who will get out of this holiday alive?
'There are plenty of family secrets amongst the Turners and the Baileys, and they all seem to be unravelling at once'
𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
What a ride, if you thought things couldn't get worse for the Bailey's after The Christmas Party, then you're very wrong. I loved the POVs from each character, finding out what they were hiding and what their schemes are, especially Erin.
We kick off right after the first book so it's good to read them in order, but there also is recap in this book too about those events.
The twists kept coming and you had no idea what was coming next. If you enjoy family drama with lots of secrets and lies, then this series is definitely for you!
I can't wait to find out more in the next book, the ending definitely keeps you guessing!
'Because we've had enough rivalries and secrets bubbling under the surface of this family to last a lifetime. And I don't want history repeating itself'.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for this copy. This review is voluntary.
December 1, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up. This was a fun, immersive read. The setting is idyllic, and the characters are dark. There is lots of twists and turns, and the story does live up to its title. It is too far fetched for my taste, I prefer realistic fiction, but it is a fun read nonetheless.
It is worth nothing that although this is a sequel, it reads fine as a stand alone. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger however, which makes sense considering there is a third book in this series.
It is worth nothing that although this is a sequel, it reads fine as a stand alone. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger however, which makes sense considering there is a third book in this series.
September 22, 2024
Quick read, I think I liked the first one better. This one sort of felt like a set-up for the 3rd book since there weren't too many twists. The author's style of ending each chapter with a cliff hanger bothers me, but now I'm invested in the family to get resolution
August 31, 2023
My first book by Mikayla Davids and I can’t wait to read another by her!
After a tumultuous Christmas the Bailey-Scott family want to escape and so book a holiday to an elusive ski resort in France where one of them owns a chalet. The matriarch of the family Nadia just wants a place where her three grown up daughters and her grandchildren can have some time to process the events of the last few weeks. Erin is the owner of the chalet however she is also now a widow after her husband Aaron was pushed down some stairs and killed. Sasha is in shock after finding out her husband Jesse was who pushed Aaron down the stairs and Jesse is now in prison awaiting sentencing. Leah, the youngest sister, feels like she needs to be with her family and supporting them after all they have gone through. In the beautiful ski resort however, there is anything but peace, and each sister finds themselves threated and in danger. In this family, no-one can be trusted, and everyone has secrets. Will the holiday pull the family back together or are the secrets and lies too big and lead to them breaking apart for good?!
Oh, this was good, and I was intrigued from the very start. I liked hearing from all the different characters and being in their heads, Erin was particularly nasty and extremely devious, the character was written so well though. I felt most sorry for Leah who didn’t seem to have a bad bone in her body and yet still found herself being threatened and in trouble. There were so many twists and turns, and I was not prepared for that ending!! I really hope there is a sequel as I want to know more after reading that teaser!!!!
All in all, a great twisty ride and I highly recommend this one for any psychological thriller fans. I am really looking forward to reading the book before this one, The Christmas Party and I have also bought The Couple on Holiday.
Thank you to Mikayla Davids for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
After a tumultuous Christmas the Bailey-Scott family want to escape and so book a holiday to an elusive ski resort in France where one of them owns a chalet. The matriarch of the family Nadia just wants a place where her three grown up daughters and her grandchildren can have some time to process the events of the last few weeks. Erin is the owner of the chalet however she is also now a widow after her husband Aaron was pushed down some stairs and killed. Sasha is in shock after finding out her husband Jesse was who pushed Aaron down the stairs and Jesse is now in prison awaiting sentencing. Leah, the youngest sister, feels like she needs to be with her family and supporting them after all they have gone through. In the beautiful ski resort however, there is anything but peace, and each sister finds themselves threated and in danger. In this family, no-one can be trusted, and everyone has secrets. Will the holiday pull the family back together or are the secrets and lies too big and lead to them breaking apart for good?!
Oh, this was good, and I was intrigued from the very start. I liked hearing from all the different characters and being in their heads, Erin was particularly nasty and extremely devious, the character was written so well though. I felt most sorry for Leah who didn’t seem to have a bad bone in her body and yet still found herself being threatened and in trouble. There were so many twists and turns, and I was not prepared for that ending!! I really hope there is a sequel as I want to know more after reading that teaser!!!!
All in all, a great twisty ride and I highly recommend this one for any psychological thriller fans. I am really looking forward to reading the book before this one, The Christmas Party and I have also bought The Couple on Holiday.
Thank you to Mikayla Davids for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
October 5, 2023
I read this book in two days! It was my first book by this author and I gobbled it up! The book is about lots of family secrets. The story is about the Bailey sisters and their mother and told from each of their perspectives. It is a follow up to The Christmas Party written by the same author, I was able to read it on its own. It was a fast paced, quick thrilling read. It was a solid form of entertainment that I recommend :)
Sasha, Erin and Leah are sisters and the daughter of Nadia.
Erin has been estranged from the family for ten years! They are reconnected by tragedy and trying to strengthen their family bonds. They book a stay at a ski resort and chaos ensues. I found myself feeling bad for and being angry with all of them at one point.
Thank you @lovebookstours and @mikayladavidsbooks for the #gifted ebook of The Family Secret! All opinions in this review are my own.
Sasha, Erin and Leah are sisters and the daughter of Nadia.
Erin has been estranged from the family for ten years! They are reconnected by tragedy and trying to strengthen their family bonds. They book a stay at a ski resort and chaos ensues. I found myself feeling bad for and being angry with all of them at one point.
Thank you @lovebookstours and @mikayladavidsbooks for the #gifted ebook of The Family Secret! All opinions in this review are my own.
November 14, 2024
The first book in this series is okay, a nice quick read with some drama. However, the first 40% of this book was a summary of the first book and then continued to repeat what happened in the first book, in the last 60% with some minor new events dashed here and there.
I’m confused how Nadia can claim to the police she saw Craig kill a man and the author offers us no explanation of how she convinced the police. Claiming she physically saw him yet we get no explanation of how or why she was there to see this killing take place. Xavier was killed in his own chalet after having a small party. Which her daughter attended. So either she was there during the party. Which they should have then questioned the other guests. Or she was there after? But for what purpose then. Seems very illogical that the police would not look into this and that the writer says nothing more than ‘mum told the police she saw Craig kill Xavier’
Lindsay and her husband somehow hacked Leahs phone. I’m assuming their death is because of her conversation with Sasha as we don’t see her utilise any of this information she gathered during their conversation.
And are we led to believe the twins went with the Bailey family to Iceland? To relocate with the family they only met a month prior? Not their grandparents that have been with them through their whole lives? Maybe this will be explained in the third book.
Ultimately I found myself bored reading this book. I’m not keen on the writers style, although i do like the idea of playing out a scene from one perspective and then writing it from the other characters perspective, You can truly get a scope of each of the characters emotions during that period. With this writer though I feel like the repetition took away from this feature.
If you want to read the series, I would suggest reading the third book as I can only imagine it is a very long winded summary of the first two with a couple of chapters telling us about Erin’s survival.
I’m confused how Nadia can claim to the police she saw Craig kill a man and the author offers us no explanation of how she convinced the police. Claiming she physically saw him yet we get no explanation of how or why she was there to see this killing take place. Xavier was killed in his own chalet after having a small party. Which her daughter attended. So either she was there during the party. Which they should have then questioned the other guests. Or she was there after? But for what purpose then. Seems very illogical that the police would not look into this and that the writer says nothing more than ‘mum told the police she saw Craig kill Xavier’
Lindsay and her husband somehow hacked Leahs phone. I’m assuming their death is because of her conversation with Sasha as we don’t see her utilise any of this information she gathered during their conversation.
And are we led to believe the twins went with the Bailey family to Iceland? To relocate with the family they only met a month prior? Not their grandparents that have been with them through their whole lives? Maybe this will be explained in the third book.
Ultimately I found myself bored reading this book. I’m not keen on the writers style, although i do like the idea of playing out a scene from one perspective and then writing it from the other characters perspective, You can truly get a scope of each of the characters emotions during that period. With this writer though I feel like the repetition took away from this feature.
If you want to read the series, I would suggest reading the third book as I can only imagine it is a very long winded summary of the first two with a couple of chapters telling us about Erin’s survival.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2024
PSA; if you didn’t like the first book, I urge you to stick with it and give the sequel a try!!
Despite being underwhelmed with the first book, I’m so glad I decided to carry on with the series. After getting to know the characters in the first book, I found this sequel far more interesting and definitely more gripping. I find it interesting how I actually dislike all of the main characters, yet I’m still SO intrigued by their dynamic and lives that I just HAD to keep reading!!
The twists weren’t crazy, however they didn’t need to be. Although, I was definitely shocked with a particular event that occurred - I was absolutely NOT expecting it!! (iykyk)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and will definitely be reading the third book also!
Despite being underwhelmed with the first book, I’m so glad I decided to carry on with the series. After getting to know the characters in the first book, I found this sequel far more interesting and definitely more gripping. I find it interesting how I actually dislike all of the main characters, yet I’m still SO intrigued by their dynamic and lives that I just HAD to keep reading!!
The twists weren’t crazy, however they didn’t need to be. Although, I was definitely shocked with a particular event that occurred - I was absolutely NOT expecting it!! (iykyk)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and will definitely be reading the third book also!
November 7, 2024
This family is so toxic and messy! Every single one of the Bailey women is full of their own drama and when you put them together, someone will die. I really enjoyed this follow up to The Christmas Party. The dynamics established in the first book continued and came to a head in this one. I wouldn’t recommend reading this as a standalone book.
November 20, 2024
Loved the first book in this series so couldn't wait to start the next. Was disappointed and got a bit fed up with the start of this. Felt like it just repeated book one over and over in multiple chapters but I persevered and oh wow it was worth it. Couldn't wait to find out what was next. That's one messed up family! Dying (probably wrong choice of word to use 😂) to read the next one now.
January 11, 2025
Super quick read. Had to know immediately what happened to the Bailey family next. The ski resort is something of my dreams. A beautiful chalet in the French Alps covered in snow. The ice bar sounded unreal. The setting of this story may have been my favorite part! Craig showing up on the doorstep had me SHOOK. Ophelia is a brat, just like her mom. Speaking of- is she alive? Who killed Leah’s stalkers? I can’t wait to start Her Daughter’s Lies and see 👀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
Family vacation to rekindle what has been lost...gone wrong. I honestly expected it not to go well. Mikayla has a way of getting me quickly irratated with Erin 😂
The ending of the book made me think/prepare myself that the next book would more than likely be history repeating itself with new members of the family.
The ending of the book made me think/prepare myself that the next book would more than likely be history repeating itself with new members of the family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2024
Terrible! Too much of same thoughts over and over
December 28, 2024
Momma Bailey is a rockstar. That is all.
March 21, 2025
I love her style of different perspectives on similar scenes. There were a few plot holes but overall this is an engaging read and I look forward to book 3.
November 29, 2023
A nail biting sequel. The suspense is on point; unsure if some of the events are realistic, and if people would truly go this far, but I’m not going to overthink it, as I’m enjoying all the twists and turns.
April 16, 2025
There was A LOT happening in this novel. The novel lives up to the title - there are so many secrets and so many lies.
September 21, 2023
This is the follow-up to Mikayla Davids’ “The Christmas Party." I loved it, and I loved the follow-up for many of the same reasons.
In this book, the Bailey women are trying to recover from the horrible events in the first book “The Christmas Party.” So, they escape to a ski chalet in France owned by middle sister Erin, who has just returned to the family fold after a ten-year absence. Unfortunately, new horrible secrets have been added to the family, hence the name of this book. The secrets begin to eat away at the family, and I could feel it in the atmosphere around what should have been a beautiful, wintery scene. Instead, it was a close, almost claustrophobic feeling.
This book had even more surprising twists, and darker secrets, and resulted in more deaths. I read it in less than 24 hours and could not put it down. It was so good, and now I can’t wait for the third book. Hopefully, Ms. Davids is steadily writing! Gah, just looked at the release date and almost a year until the third one comes out. Well, good things come to those who wait.
There are a ton of loose ends and mysteries to be solved in book three. All of the characters in this one were returns from Book 1, except for a few minor characters. After book one, I wasn’t sure I liked anyone, but I did grow to like Leah and Sasha a little more after this book. The depth and complexity of their characters shined through. I always liked Freya, Sasha’s daughter, and Jasper, Erin’s son. Really all of the children in Book One. But now I’m concerned that Ophelia, Erin’s daughter, might have a little too much of her mother in her.
The complex characterization of so many characters is beautifully done, and juggling so many points of view was handled so well. I also really enjoy her unique use of media res – which is actually something I have utilized in my own writing. Teasing us with an important later scene, without giving away context, then revisiting it with the answers later.
Hopefully, I’ll find some time between other reads to get some other reads from Ms. Davids before the next book comes out in the meantime.
Who’s It For
If you love a good mystery or psychological thriller, this is a great book for you. Also, if you love a good family drama, the Baily ladies are fantastic for getting that fix. I literally turned to my husband and said, wow, you thought YOUR brother was bad. Definitely not a book for young or sensitive readers though.
Content Warnings: This book touches on several topics that sensitive readers may find triggering, including but not limited to, stalking, attempted murder, murder, stabbing, lying, infidelity, stealing, missing persons, alcohol abuse, adult language, and more.
About the Author
In this book, the Bailey women are trying to recover from the horrible events in the first book “The Christmas Party.” So, they escape to a ski chalet in France owned by middle sister Erin, who has just returned to the family fold after a ten-year absence. Unfortunately, new horrible secrets have been added to the family, hence the name of this book. The secrets begin to eat away at the family, and I could feel it in the atmosphere around what should have been a beautiful, wintery scene. Instead, it was a close, almost claustrophobic feeling.
This book had even more surprising twists, and darker secrets, and resulted in more deaths. I read it in less than 24 hours and could not put it down. It was so good, and now I can’t wait for the third book. Hopefully, Ms. Davids is steadily writing! Gah, just looked at the release date and almost a year until the third one comes out. Well, good things come to those who wait.
There are a ton of loose ends and mysteries to be solved in book three. All of the characters in this one were returns from Book 1, except for a few minor characters. After book one, I wasn’t sure I liked anyone, but I did grow to like Leah and Sasha a little more after this book. The depth and complexity of their characters shined through. I always liked Freya, Sasha’s daughter, and Jasper, Erin’s son. Really all of the children in Book One. But now I’m concerned that Ophelia, Erin’s daughter, might have a little too much of her mother in her.
The complex characterization of so many characters is beautifully done, and juggling so many points of view was handled so well. I also really enjoy her unique use of media res – which is actually something I have utilized in my own writing. Teasing us with an important later scene, without giving away context, then revisiting it with the answers later.
Hopefully, I’ll find some time between other reads to get some other reads from Ms. Davids before the next book comes out in the meantime.
Who’s It For
If you love a good mystery or psychological thriller, this is a great book for you. Also, if you love a good family drama, the Baily ladies are fantastic for getting that fix. I literally turned to my husband and said, wow, you thought YOUR brother was bad. Definitely not a book for young or sensitive readers though.
Content Warnings: This book touches on several topics that sensitive readers may find triggering, including but not limited to, stalking, attempted murder, murder, stabbing, lying, infidelity, stealing, missing persons, alcohol abuse, adult language, and more.
About the Author
November 11, 2024
Here we are with Book 2 of the Bailey family series by Mikayla Davids. These can be read individually, with a recap of the previous book at the start of this one, but I would recommend reading from the start to see the full story and understand
I enjoyed this one. It is told from multiple POVs, and we see the POVs from all the main characters.. see the secrets and lies that the sisters are hiding from each other. The author has done a great job continuing to build and develop the characters and continuously builds the pace of the story to the point where you don't realise you are flying through the pages, and in the twist and turns that are well thought out and placed to give us a rollercoaster of a read!
I can't wait to see what happens in book 3!
I enjoyed this one. It is told from multiple POVs, and we see the POVs from all the main characters.. see the secrets and lies that the sisters are hiding from each other. The author has done a great job continuing to build and develop the characters and continuously builds the pace of the story to the point where you don't realise you are flying through the pages, and in the twist and turns that are well thought out and placed to give us a rollercoaster of a read!
I can't wait to see what happens in book 3!
September 21, 2023
This was a heck of a ride! With everyone having secrets and bits and pieces of information slowly coming out through each viewpoint you go through, this is a page turner that you can’t put down because you need to see what is happening next. Or what every person’s hidden agenda is. Because in this family, everyone has one.
The Bailey Family has had a heck of time, with murder happening at the massive Christmas Party (ie book one). They descend on a vacation house, trying to get away from the news and the states they have been receiving. But when everyone has a secret, maybe staying with family isn’t the best idea. Is there someone else targeting them, or is it someone inside the inner circle?
Thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy to review, all thoughts are my own.
The Bailey Family has had a heck of time, with murder happening at the massive Christmas Party (ie book one). They descend on a vacation house, trying to get away from the news and the states they have been receiving. But when everyone has a secret, maybe staying with family isn’t the best idea. Is there someone else targeting them, or is it someone inside the inner circle?
Thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy to review, all thoughts are my own.
September 1, 2023
The Bailey family are back - and as devious as ever. As they all retreat on a wintery break to recover from the devastation of The Christmas Party (If you haven't read it, definitely do!) they recall their version of the events that rocked their family - accidents, murders, catastrophes - but they all seem to have a different part of the answer and nobody seems to have the whole picture of who this family really is.
Hearing from every member of the family, we're always left just slightly in the dark in a fabulously thrilling web of misdirection and lies. Each of their personalities are so vivid and distinct, with their unique voice that makes them uncomfortably endearing even in this setting of frozen opulence and murder.
We move through the story at a steady, snowy pace, in a hypnotically icy setting so intense you can feel the chill in the air - things might seem quiet at first as we learn about our family and get settled into their beautiful ski chalet but even when things seem silent we can already see the little cracks start to form as the first secrets are whispered to the reader making us question how much worse it could possibly get. We’re left with bated breath waiting to see how it all pieces together - and when it does, it's explosive.
Every twist and turn was calculated, giving us just a taste a bit at a time but never the whole picture and leaving us desperate for more. I absolutely cannot wait to see what comes next for the Bailey family.
Hearing from every member of the family, we're always left just slightly in the dark in a fabulously thrilling web of misdirection and lies. Each of their personalities are so vivid and distinct, with their unique voice that makes them uncomfortably endearing even in this setting of frozen opulence and murder.
We move through the story at a steady, snowy pace, in a hypnotically icy setting so intense you can feel the chill in the air - things might seem quiet at first as we learn about our family and get settled into their beautiful ski chalet but even when things seem silent we can already see the little cracks start to form as the first secrets are whispered to the reader making us question how much worse it could possibly get. We’re left with bated breath waiting to see how it all pieces together - and when it does, it's explosive.
Every twist and turn was calculated, giving us just a taste a bit at a time but never the whole picture and leaving us desperate for more. I absolutely cannot wait to see what comes next for the Bailey family.
September 4, 2023
The Bailey family return in this second instalment by Mikayala David’s. After the shocking events that unfolded in The Christmas Party, (If you haven’t read it yet—why not?) Erin takes her family on a winter break so they can take some time to process the ramifications of that awful December night. But this family are still as dysfunctional as ever and as the secrets continue to mount so do the bodies.
I’ve been gassed for the sequel since the beginning of the year, and it didn’t disappoint! 🙌 Told through everyone’s perspective, there are plenty of twists and turns while the author spins a clever web of misdirection that seemed to throw me every-time I realised my train of thought was wrong.
Oh my Life…My anxiety was through the roof during the last four chapters of the book, and as for Erin….let’s just say she made me spit out a few expletives!
The ending wasn’t what I was expecting either. I thought it would be all nicely finished, where everyone gets their karma and all the lies are revealed BUT it seems sweet, sweet Mikayala had other ideas. 😆
I’m so excited for the final instalment of this book. I need the answers as much as certain members of Bailey-Scott family do. I don’t want to wish my life away, but I do hope 2024 comes quickly!
Thank you to Mikayla David’s for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest opinion.
I’ve been gassed for the sequel since the beginning of the year, and it didn’t disappoint! 🙌 Told through everyone’s perspective, there are plenty of twists and turns while the author spins a clever web of misdirection that seemed to throw me every-time I realised my train of thought was wrong.
Oh my Life…My anxiety was through the roof during the last four chapters of the book, and as for Erin….let’s just say she made me spit out a few expletives!
The ending wasn’t what I was expecting either. I thought it would be all nicely finished, where everyone gets their karma and all the lies are revealed BUT it seems sweet, sweet Mikayala had other ideas. 😆
I’m so excited for the final instalment of this book. I need the answers as much as certain members of Bailey-Scott family do. I don’t want to wish my life away, but I do hope 2024 comes quickly!
Thank you to Mikayla David’s for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest opinion.
October 3, 2023
What I liked:
- the changing POV. It shifts among the Bailey women (Nadia, Sacha, Erin, and Leah) and each has her own secrets and motives
- the fast pace. Once I started, I was committed to finding out who'd been killed and who did it
- the plot was so crazy and dramatic it kind of felt like a telenovela, which made for a fun read
What didn't work for me:
- it's a bit repetitive. Because this is book two of a three-part series, and this picks up just weeks after the events of the first novel, the narrative has to recap the main events. But the characters revolved around it so much that it felt overdone.
- there's a lot going on. Each character has her own secrets and there was so much scheming happening and jumping around from drama to drama that it didn't feel like we really got to know any of the characters or know really how they're coping with the events of the previous book
At the end of the day I did enjoy this and am genuinely curious to see what happens in book three. There are some (deliberately) unanswered questions that I'd like to see resolved.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
- the changing POV. It shifts among the Bailey women (Nadia, Sacha, Erin, and Leah) and each has her own secrets and motives
- the fast pace. Once I started, I was committed to finding out who'd been killed and who did it
- the plot was so crazy and dramatic it kind of felt like a telenovela, which made for a fun read
What didn't work for me:
- it's a bit repetitive. Because this is book two of a three-part series, and this picks up just weeks after the events of the first novel, the narrative has to recap the main events. But the characters revolved around it so much that it felt overdone.
- there's a lot going on. Each character has her own secrets and there was so much scheming happening and jumping around from drama to drama that it didn't feel like we really got to know any of the characters or know really how they're coping with the events of the previous book
At the end of the day I did enjoy this and am genuinely curious to see what happens in book three. There are some (deliberately) unanswered questions that I'd like to see resolved.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
March 1, 2024
90% was just a repeat of the first book and the other 10% wasn’t very interesting. Do not recommend.
December 22, 2025
The Family Secret by Mikayla Davids (2023)
Bailey Family #2
262-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-243
Genre: Domestic Psychological Suspense Thriller
Featuring: One Month After Book Reunited Family Trope, Tragedy Aftermath Trope, January, Infamous, Family Vacation, Family Dynamics, Three Generations, Sisters, Multiple POVs, English MCs, Influencer, Hotel Owners, Affluent People, Widows, Secrets, Australia, Family Riff, Link for The Christmas Holiday and Her Daughter’s Lies; Extract - Her Daughter's Lies, Extract - The Christmas Holiday, Extract - The Christmas Party, Extract - The Couple On Holiday, Author's Note, Author's Links, Partial Bibliography for Mikayla Davids with Covers and Links for: The Christmas Holiday, The Christmas Party (The Bailey Family Book 1), Her Daughter's Lies (The Bailey Family Book 3), The Couple on Holiday
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" by Celine Dion, "Let's Go Fly a Kite" by Julie Andrews
Books and Authors mentioned: Gilmore Girls by Amy Sherman-Palladino, The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S.Lewis
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🏰⛷️🇬🇧🇫🇷
My thoughts: 🔖Page 29 of 262 Chapter Five Sasha - I really want to get started before the book discussion for book one so I started and now I remember exactly what happened. I think they are giving away too much too soon though so who knows where it's gonna go.
I'm not mad at the ending at all, but the story was just okay. The motivations were a bit weak so I'm hesitant to read Book 3. I may put it off for the new year. If it wasn't already in my library, I'm not sure I would give it a chance.
Recommend to others: Maybe, Book 1 is definitely better.
Bailey Family Trilogy
1. The Christmas Party (2022)
2. The Family Secret (2023)
3. Her Daughter's Lies (2024)
Memorable Quotes: If you’d told me back then that Erin would grow up to be a millionaire, I would have had a hard time believing a girl who was raised on a council estate would ever have the opportunity to rise so high. This really is Erin’s world now though. She was rich by association because of her marriage to Aaron and she’s rich in her own right since her husband passed away, leaving all his wealth and assets to Erin and the twins.
I’ve already lied to the police in order to keep one of them safe. And I’d do it again if I had to.
This is my time now, to create the life that I want to live instead of forever adhering to somebody else’s schedule and expectations. I’m going to embrace it and I’m going to squeeze out every moment of happiness that I can. There’s just one thing standing between me and my future. And that’s Sasha. It’s her fault that Jesse and I weren’t able to become an item. That set off the whole ripple of events that eventually led me to murdering my husband. My sister has made it clear that she still resents me too, even though she doesn’t know the full truth. She just believes Jesse has an obsession with me. It’s much more than that: we had a full-blown love affair. As an older sister, she’s always stood in my way, getting to everything I wanted first, and exactly the same thing happened with Jesse. She’s crossed me one time too many. Jesse doesn’t know this – I’m sure he wouldn’t approve of my plan to get rid of the mother of his child – but I want Sasha gone too. I want revenge for her stealing the life I should’ve had with Jesse.
‘Goodnight my nine-year-old!’ I call after her. ‘It’s going to be a big day tomorrow!’ But the door clicks shut and I’m not sure if my daughter heard me or not.
Bailey Family #2
262-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-243
Genre: Domestic Psychological Suspense Thriller
Featuring: One Month After Book Reunited Family Trope, Tragedy Aftermath Trope, January, Infamous, Family Vacation, Family Dynamics, Three Generations, Sisters, Multiple POVs, English MCs, Influencer, Hotel Owners, Affluent People, Widows, Secrets, Australia, Family Riff, Link for The Christmas Holiday and Her Daughter’s Lies; Extract - Her Daughter's Lies, Extract - The Christmas Holiday, Extract - The Christmas Party, Extract - The Couple On Holiday, Author's Note, Author's Links, Partial Bibliography for Mikayla Davids with Covers and Links for: The Christmas Holiday, The Christmas Party (The Bailey Family Book 1), Her Daughter's Lies (The Bailey Family Book 3), The Couple on Holiday
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" by Celine Dion, "Let's Go Fly a Kite" by Julie Andrews
Books and Authors mentioned: Gilmore Girls by Amy Sherman-Palladino, The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S.Lewis
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🏰⛷️🇬🇧🇫🇷
My thoughts: 🔖Page 29 of 262 Chapter Five Sasha - I really want to get started before the book discussion for book one so I started and now I remember exactly what happened. I think they are giving away too much too soon though so who knows where it's gonna go.
I'm not mad at the ending at all, but the story was just okay. The motivations were a bit weak so I'm hesitant to read Book 3. I may put it off for the new year. If it wasn't already in my library, I'm not sure I would give it a chance.
Recommend to others: Maybe, Book 1 is definitely better.
Bailey Family Trilogy
1. The Christmas Party (2022)
2. The Family Secret (2023)
3. Her Daughter's Lies (2024)
Memorable Quotes: If you’d told me back then that Erin would grow up to be a millionaire, I would have had a hard time believing a girl who was raised on a council estate would ever have the opportunity to rise so high. This really is Erin’s world now though. She was rich by association because of her marriage to Aaron and she’s rich in her own right since her husband passed away, leaving all his wealth and assets to Erin and the twins.
I’ve already lied to the police in order to keep one of them safe. And I’d do it again if I had to.
This is my time now, to create the life that I want to live instead of forever adhering to somebody else’s schedule and expectations. I’m going to embrace it and I’m going to squeeze out every moment of happiness that I can. There’s just one thing standing between me and my future. And that’s Sasha. It’s her fault that Jesse and I weren’t able to become an item. That set off the whole ripple of events that eventually led me to murdering my husband. My sister has made it clear that she still resents me too, even though she doesn’t know the full truth. She just believes Jesse has an obsession with me. It’s much more than that: we had a full-blown love affair. As an older sister, she’s always stood in my way, getting to everything I wanted first, and exactly the same thing happened with Jesse. She’s crossed me one time too many. Jesse doesn’t know this – I’m sure he wouldn’t approve of my plan to get rid of the mother of his child – but I want Sasha gone too. I want revenge for her stealing the life I should’ve had with Jesse.
‘Goodnight my nine-year-old!’ I call after her. ‘It’s going to be a big day tomorrow!’ But the door clicks shut and I’m not sure if my daughter heard me or not.
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