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Emma Harte Saga #4
Emma's Secret
The legendary Emma Harte, heroine of A Woman of Substance, returns in Emma's Secret, a novel that showcases the storytelling power of Barbara Taylor Bradford.
Paula O'Neill, beloved granddaughter of Emma Harte and the guardian of her vast business empire, believes that everything Emma left to the family is secure. However, beneath the surface, sibling rivalry and discontent flare. Linnet and Tessa, her daughters, are as different as two women can be. One of them wants desperately for the empire to be hers but has a devastating secret that may put her very life in danger.
Into this volatile mix walks Evan Hughes, a young American fashion designer who is looking for Emma Harte. But Emma has been dead for thirty years. And Evan bears an uncanny resemblance to Paula O'Neill. Troubled by Evan's presence, Paula turns to her grandmother's recently discovered wartime diaries to find the truth, and Emma comes vividly back to life¿.
The decades fall away. It is London in 1940: the Blitz. Emma, working hard under war-time conditions, is also holding her family together as bombs drop, sirens wail, and her sons go off to war. While she struggles with grief, her indomitability, willpower, and strength come to the fore. As the pages unfurl, Paula discovers the secret Emma took to the grave to protect others, a secret whose repercussions inevitably change lives and may shake a dynasty to its very foundations.
Emma's Secret is vintage Barbara Taylor Bradford. Emotion, drama, suspense, intrigue, and passion fill the pages in a spellbinding novel that only she could write.
Paula O'Neill, beloved granddaughter of Emma Harte and the guardian of her vast business empire, believes that everything Emma left to the family is secure. However, beneath the surface, sibling rivalry and discontent flare. Linnet and Tessa, her daughters, are as different as two women can be. One of them wants desperately for the empire to be hers but has a devastating secret that may put her very life in danger.
Into this volatile mix walks Evan Hughes, a young American fashion designer who is looking for Emma Harte. But Emma has been dead for thirty years. And Evan bears an uncanny resemblance to Paula O'Neill. Troubled by Evan's presence, Paula turns to her grandmother's recently discovered wartime diaries to find the truth, and Emma comes vividly back to life¿.
The decades fall away. It is London in 1940: the Blitz. Emma, working hard under war-time conditions, is also holding her family together as bombs drop, sirens wail, and her sons go off to war. While she struggles with grief, her indomitability, willpower, and strength come to the fore. As the pages unfurl, Paula discovers the secret Emma took to the grave to protect others, a secret whose repercussions inevitably change lives and may shake a dynasty to its very foundations.
Emma's Secret is vintage Barbara Taylor Bradford. Emotion, drama, suspense, intrigue, and passion fill the pages in a spellbinding novel that only she could write.
354 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2003
422 people are currently reading
1923 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Taylor Bradford
280 books1,926 followersBarbara Taylor Bradford was a British-American best-selling novelist. Her debut novel, A Woman of Substance, was published in 1979 and sold over 30 million copies worldwide. She wrote 40 novels, all bestsellers in the United Kingdom and the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
July 14, 2017
Great saga! a continuing story of three families who work hard all their lives to keep the dream of Emma Harte alive..it's enjoyable and intriguing also (paperback!)
April 5, 2013
I found the book very uneven, sometimes interesting but most just boring. This book is part of a saga, which worried me at first whether I could understand the little details, since I haven't read the other books but the author explains everything. And I really mean EVERYTHING. She even repeats herself, as if the reader wouldn't remember what he/she read a couple of chapters before!
There are too many characters and each character has a story line which makes story hard to follow at times. The middle of the book (part 2) takes place during WWII as to provide us background to Evan's grandmother and who is her real grandfather. It takes almost 250 pages which the author prefers to make about Emma instead. So the real mystery only gets solved around page 500! After that, things evolve quite fast, which is a relief considering that the first 200 pages are dull and slow.
The ending is not satisfactory. Most storyline don't get a proper conclusion, they provide some but are clearly left open to new books. After all this is a saga. But what I hated was that even in the last chapters the author introduces us new developments which will only be resolved in following books. They get you intrigued but the problem is that it isn't enough to make me go out and buy the book.
There are too many characters and each character has a story line which makes story hard to follow at times. The middle of the book (part 2) takes place during WWII as to provide us background to Evan's grandmother and who is her real grandfather. It takes almost 250 pages which the author prefers to make about Emma instead. So the real mystery only gets solved around page 500! After that, things evolve quite fast, which is a relief considering that the first 200 pages are dull and slow.
The ending is not satisfactory. Most storyline don't get a proper conclusion, they provide some but are clearly left open to new books. After all this is a saga. But what I hated was that even in the last chapters the author introduces us new developments which will only be resolved in following books. They get you intrigued but the problem is that it isn't enough to make me go out and buy the book.
August 20, 2010
Years ago I read A Woman of Substance, Bradford's first book about Emma Harte. It was basically a romance novel, but I knew that when I started it. It told the story of an unusual woman who pulled herself up from nothing to found a wealthy department store chain in Great Britain.
The first book was interesting because of the changes in the characters' lives and their loves, etc. This book is about the lives of Emma's grandchildren, who are hard workers and decent people despite having lived in great wealth all their lives.
Bradford keeps repeating a lot of details that we got the first time she told us. Also, she stresses the great wealth and impeccable taste of Emma and all her descendants to the point where it gets tiresome. She decribes the outfits different characters are wearing in great detail, which is unnecessary. We get it. They are fabulously wealthy and have good taste--not to mention a high-end department store at their disposal!
Another problem with the book is that the books all center around three families that started from nothing and built great wealth, but they keep intermarryng with each other. You have a lot of cousins marrying. We learn nothing about school friends because none of them seem to have any friends outside of the families. Adding an occasional outsider to the family tree would not be a bad thing!
I still enjoyed the book. I knew it was a romance when I started it as opposed to all the books that pretend to be more serious, then have the main characters in love at the end.
The first book was interesting because of the changes in the characters' lives and their loves, etc. This book is about the lives of Emma's grandchildren, who are hard workers and decent people despite having lived in great wealth all their lives.
Bradford keeps repeating a lot of details that we got the first time she told us. Also, she stresses the great wealth and impeccable taste of Emma and all her descendants to the point where it gets tiresome. She decribes the outfits different characters are wearing in great detail, which is unnecessary. We get it. They are fabulously wealthy and have good taste--not to mention a high-end department store at their disposal!
Another problem with the book is that the books all center around three families that started from nothing and built great wealth, but they keep intermarryng with each other. You have a lot of cousins marrying. We learn nothing about school friends because none of them seem to have any friends outside of the families. Adding an occasional outsider to the family tree would not be a bad thing!
I still enjoyed the book. I knew it was a romance when I started it as opposed to all the books that pretend to be more serious, then have the main characters in love at the end.
March 21, 2018
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and I really enjoyed listening. The narration was really good and the story was really interesting. I will be looking for more from this author as this book was a first for me. Recommended.
July 16, 2023
An updated story in this book - set in 2001 so a bit ahead of the others. New characters introduced to keep the story going but it’s still a bit too much perfection and over the top adjectives about the family!
October 29, 2010
• EMMA’S SECRET by Barbara Taylor Bradford, Harper Collins
506 pps. 47 chaps, 3 parts. 172,000 words.
A family saga and part of a series based on A Woman of Substance. The author breaks almost every rule ever made for fiction and doesn’t always get away with it. Some of her dialogue is banal and stilted, there are long passages of tedious description of clothes and décor, viewpoint changes frequently and without notice and the complex relationships are not helped by the use of similar names for several characters, e.g. Uncles Robin and Ronnie, Emma and Emily. Having said all that, the characters are well drawn and the tale itself is absorbing, if a little long. The book moved me to tears, laughter, rage and occasional frustration. Set largely in England but partly in the USA, the settings are evocative and brought to life by description. Some of the descriptive passages form barriers to the story, however and there is quite a lot of repetition. The single most irritating feature, though, is her habit of having one character telling another something they must already know. It is a method of passing information to the reader but it is dreadfully intrusive and a little insulting to the intelligence. Barbara Taylor Bradford sells a huge number of books and is very popular but I doubt I shall read another of her offerings, based on this one.
506 pps. 47 chaps, 3 parts. 172,000 words.
A family saga and part of a series based on A Woman of Substance. The author breaks almost every rule ever made for fiction and doesn’t always get away with it. Some of her dialogue is banal and stilted, there are long passages of tedious description of clothes and décor, viewpoint changes frequently and without notice and the complex relationships are not helped by the use of similar names for several characters, e.g. Uncles Robin and Ronnie, Emma and Emily. Having said all that, the characters are well drawn and the tale itself is absorbing, if a little long. The book moved me to tears, laughter, rage and occasional frustration. Set largely in England but partly in the USA, the settings are evocative and brought to life by description. Some of the descriptive passages form barriers to the story, however and there is quite a lot of repetition. The single most irritating feature, though, is her habit of having one character telling another something they must already know. It is a method of passing information to the reader but it is dreadfully intrusive and a little insulting to the intelligence. Barbara Taylor Bradford sells a huge number of books and is very popular but I doubt I shall read another of her offerings, based on this one.
May 2, 2025
ok so i picked up this book at one of those give one take one library things and boy it was weird. lmk why 2 characters who were dating found out they’re cousins and like didn’t have a reaction, this is incest??! twas wild and a pretty bad book lol
September 9, 2016
A continuation of the Emma Harte A Woman of Substance series. Book #4
A little confusing at 1st to remember the characters since I read the first book about 8 years ago. There is a nice family tree in the front for reference.
Loved it - family and history. Story goes between 2001 and back to 1940's war time London to reveal the secret Emma kept.
Evan Hughes travels to England after her grandmother Glynnis tells on her deathbed to go see Emma Harte. Emma has been dead 30 years, but Evan is given a job in the family store since she has exceptional fashion and merchandising experience. Her strong resembalance to the McGill family intrigues all and the gossip mill starts. Emma's secret told through her diaries and letters solves the mystery.
A story in its self, but there is more waiting to be told of their empire.
A little confusing at 1st to remember the characters since I read the first book about 8 years ago. There is a nice family tree in the front for reference.
Loved it - family and history. Story goes between 2001 and back to 1940's war time London to reveal the secret Emma kept.
Evan Hughes travels to England after her grandmother Glynnis tells on her deathbed to go see Emma Harte. Emma has been dead 30 years, but Evan is given a job in the family store since she has exceptional fashion and merchandising experience. Her strong resembalance to the McGill family intrigues all and the gossip mill starts. Emma's secret told through her diaries and letters solves the mystery.
A story in its self, but there is more waiting to be told of their empire.
April 13, 2019
The saga continues
As in the previous 3 books the author's attention to detail and colorful and thorough descriptions of everything from characters clothing to their surroundings makes all come alive in the reading. For anyone who enjoys people centered stories, this is just that on a grand scale!
As in the previous 3 books the author's attention to detail and colorful and thorough descriptions of everything from characters clothing to their surroundings makes all come alive in the reading. For anyone who enjoys people centered stories, this is just that on a grand scale!
October 6, 2009
Another $1 book from the clearance shelf. I guess this is part of a series. It stands alone which is good, but nothing really made me want to hunt down the other books.
May 3, 2025
Emma's Secret is the fourth book in the Emma Harte saga and continues the story of Emma's family after her passing. Her granddaughter, Paula O'Neil, who continues to run the Harte empire, and her great-granddaughters, Linnet, Tessa, and India, are the main characters. It begins with the dying wish of Glynnis Jenkins Hughes —a woman with no ties to the Harte family—who tells her granddaughter, Evan, to seek out Emma Harte in London, who holds the key to her future. Although confused, Evan goes to London and is immediately shocked to find that Emma Harte died thirty years ago. She is, however, hired to work at the iconic Harte Department store in Knightsbridge, London, to help organize the retrospective fashion exhibition featuring eighty years of haute couture clothing and accessories. The fact that Evan closely resembles Paula is noticeable but doesn't cause the Hartes any great concern. Evan immediately fits in and falls in love with Gideon Harte, Paula's nephew.
When Emma's old diaries turn up, Paula decides to read them, which takes the reader back to Emma Harte's past during WWII and, finally, the secret the title refers to. I found this to be the most interesting part of the book. As in the previous books, the author fills the pages with lush descriptions of the rich home furnishings, expensive designer clothing, and the exceptional beauty of her super-wealthy characters. There is also considerable family drama to enjoy.
When Emma's old diaries turn up, Paula decides to read them, which takes the reader back to Emma Harte's past during WWII and, finally, the secret the title refers to. I found this to be the most interesting part of the book. As in the previous books, the author fills the pages with lush descriptions of the rich home furnishings, expensive designer clothing, and the exceptional beauty of her super-wealthy characters. There is also considerable family drama to enjoy.
June 22, 2020
Paula McNeill, beloved granddaughter of Emma Hart and the guardian of her vast business empire, believes that everything Emma left to the family is secure. However, beneath the surface, sibling rivalry and discontent flare. Linnet and Tessa, her daughters are as different as two woman can be. One of them wants desperately for the empire to be hers but has a devastating secret that may put her very life in danger.
Into this volatile mix walks Evan Hughes, a young American fashion designer who is looking for Emma Hart. But Emma has been dead for thirty years. And Evan bears an uncanny resemblance to Paula O'Neill. Troubled by Evan's presence, Paula turns to her grandmother's recently discovered wartime diaries to find the truth, and Emma comes vividly back to life.
The decades fall away. It is London in 1940: the Blitz. Emma working hard under wartime conditions, is also holding her family together as bombs drop, sirens wail, and her sons go off to war. While she struggles with grief, her strong will power and strength come to the fore. As the pages unfurl, Paula discovers the secret Emma took to the grave to protect others, a secret that may change lives and may shake a dynasty to its very foundation.
Into this volatile mix walks Evan Hughes, a young American fashion designer who is looking for Emma Hart. But Emma has been dead for thirty years. And Evan bears an uncanny resemblance to Paula O'Neill. Troubled by Evan's presence, Paula turns to her grandmother's recently discovered wartime diaries to find the truth, and Emma comes vividly back to life.
The decades fall away. It is London in 1940: the Blitz. Emma working hard under wartime conditions, is also holding her family together as bombs drop, sirens wail, and her sons go off to war. While she struggles with grief, her strong will power and strength come to the fore. As the pages unfurl, Paula discovers the secret Emma took to the grave to protect others, a secret that may change lives and may shake a dynasty to its very foundation.
February 13, 2023
Emma's Secret is the 4th book in the Emma Harte Saga series. I just picked this up in a bargain sale and didn't know that it was part of a series. But thankfully, I didn't have to read the three books prior to this one because the author did a wonderful way of incorporating the history of the Harte Family as well as the other clans. I understood the story and enjoyed it with ease.
This book is about Evan Hughes who went to London after her grandmother died; on her deathbed, Glynnis told Evan to go to Emma Harte for she holds the key to her future.
Evan's arrival at Harte's stirred some controversy and her mysterious likeness to Paula, Emma Harte's heiress, bore to suspicions that she might be a long lost relative.
Normally it would take me weeks to finish a long physical book, but this one captivated me in a sense. I love the author's writing style, it makes me want to read more and more. I was enchanted by the descriptions of their clothes, their jewelry, their fashion overall. This book made me want to be a part of their big family as well.
I really enjoyed this book and I am so glad I picked this up.
This book is about Evan Hughes who went to London after her grandmother died; on her deathbed, Glynnis told Evan to go to Emma Harte for she holds the key to her future.
Evan's arrival at Harte's stirred some controversy and her mysterious likeness to Paula, Emma Harte's heiress, bore to suspicions that she might be a long lost relative.
Normally it would take me weeks to finish a long physical book, but this one captivated me in a sense. I love the author's writing style, it makes me want to read more and more. I was enchanted by the descriptions of their clothes, their jewelry, their fashion overall. This book made me want to be a part of their big family as well.
I really enjoyed this book and I am so glad I picked this up.
March 28, 2023
3.5 stars
It is now the year 2001. Paula is still leading the company but her daughter's are also helping running their respective departments. Linnet is a carbon copy of her great grandmother, Emma Harte. Her personality is also a lot kinder and softer than her sister, Tessa. Tessa believes she will be the next heiress once Paula passes since she's the oldest.
This book brings in a new character, Evan Hughes. Her grandmother passed away and some of her last dying words were for her to go see Emma Harte. Evan couldn't figure out how Glynnis knew of Emma, but once she gets to England the mystery will soon be solved.
Once again it was a joy to be back with the Harte, O'Neills, and Kallinski families. This series is becoming a guilty pleasure for me. I still find the first couple of the books to be the best in this series but this one kept me invested and I did enjoy when it switched back to Emma's viewpoint in the past.
Enjoyable read and I can't wait to get into the next one because I want to see what one family member has up their sleeve, and I'm guessing it's not going to be good.
It is now the year 2001. Paula is still leading the company but her daughter's are also helping running their respective departments. Linnet is a carbon copy of her great grandmother, Emma Harte. Her personality is also a lot kinder and softer than her sister, Tessa. Tessa believes she will be the next heiress once Paula passes since she's the oldest.
This book brings in a new character, Evan Hughes. Her grandmother passed away and some of her last dying words were for her to go see Emma Harte. Evan couldn't figure out how Glynnis knew of Emma, but once she gets to England the mystery will soon be solved.
Once again it was a joy to be back with the Harte, O'Neills, and Kallinski families. This series is becoming a guilty pleasure for me. I still find the first couple of the books to be the best in this series but this one kept me invested and I did enjoy when it switched back to Emma's viewpoint in the past.
Enjoyable read and I can't wait to get into the next one because I want to see what one family member has up their sleeve, and I'm guessing it's not going to be good.
July 4, 2019
Paula O Neill beloved Grand daughter of Emma Harte, and the guardian of her vast business empire.
Paula believes that all that Emma left to the family, is secure.
However beneath the surface sibling rivalry and discontent are beginning to flare.
Evan Hughs a young American fashion designer, on her deathbed Evans Grandmother told her to find Emma Harte. But Emma has been dead for 30 years.
Evan Hugh’s is an resemblance to Paula O’Neill.
Troubled by Evan’s presence Paula turns to Emma’s recently discovered diaries that were written during the war, to try and find the truth.
As the pages unfold Paula discovers the secret, that Emma Harte took to the grave, to protect the family.
This book is a Must Read if you have read the Woman of Substance trilogy.
This trilogy has to be read in order to understand the characters , and the full story.
This book is excellent a page turner especially the last couple of chapters, full of drama, intrigue and Passion
Paula believes that all that Emma left to the family, is secure.
However beneath the surface sibling rivalry and discontent are beginning to flare.
Evan Hughs a young American fashion designer, on her deathbed Evans Grandmother told her to find Emma Harte. But Emma has been dead for 30 years.
Evan Hugh’s is an resemblance to Paula O’Neill.
Troubled by Evan’s presence Paula turns to Emma’s recently discovered diaries that were written during the war, to try and find the truth.
As the pages unfold Paula discovers the secret, that Emma Harte took to the grave, to protect the family.
This book is a Must Read if you have read the Woman of Substance trilogy.
This trilogy has to be read in order to understand the characters , and the full story.
This book is excellent a page turner especially the last couple of chapters, full of drama, intrigue and Passion
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October 31, 2024It looks like I read the book after this one in the series almost 20 years ago! I was going to see if I still had it around to read it again, but it went off to another bookcrosser in Luzern not long after that.
This ends almost on a cliff-hanger in that things are wrapped up very quickly at the end, but given the dynamics of the three clans, there's a sense that things could unwrap just as quickly.
I did find myself puzzling out the family connections (third cousins, in case you're wondering)...
Still a good read, even if not my all time favorite.
I am tempted to try to find my copy of A Woman of Substance so I can read it again. After my most recent move I've unearthed some boxes with books I hadn't seen in a very long time. It's a definite long shot, but I'll keep my eyes open for that one as I unpack them.
This ends almost on a cliff-hanger in that things are wrapped up very quickly at the end, but given the dynamics of the three clans, there's a sense that things could unwrap just as quickly.
I did find myself puzzling out the family connections (third cousins, in case you're wondering)...
Still a good read, even if not my all time favorite.
I am tempted to try to find my copy of A Woman of Substance so I can read it again. After my most recent move I've unearthed some boxes with books I hadn't seen in a very long time. It's a definite long shot, but I'll keep my eyes open for that one as I unpack them.
May 24, 2023
The book was enjoyable to read, went down lots of rabbit holes. Then the writer slapped a quick ending on it. Cousin Jonathan has everyone worried he's back in England to retaliate against the family. He caused problems with Tessa's marriage and MAY have had Evan mugged. Then all of a sudden, he's selling his company and moving back to Hong Kong. How did that come about?
Evan needs to address what she has learned with her father but she's going to wait several months. So how does that go???
That's just 2 examples of things left hanging. It's as if she had the people have another party (engagement) and now everyone will live happily ever after.
Very weak ending for a book of this size/depth.
Evan needs to address what she has learned with her father but she's going to wait several months. So how does that go???
That's just 2 examples of things left hanging. It's as if she had the people have another party (engagement) and now everyone will live happily ever after.
Very weak ending for a book of this size/depth.
July 12, 2025
I started reading this book a couple of weeks ago and forgot to add it in..... wow, what a story, especially trying to get all the relatives in their order of generation!! Evan Hughes is told on her grandmother's deathbed to go to London and find Emma Harte as she is the connection to Evan's future! Evan's career is in fashion merchandising and the Harte Consortium of stores is certainly a very good fit. But what a surprise when everyone in the Harte family notice that Evan has the looks of their family and this starts a search of intrigue and longtime secrets that start way back in the Second World War. Old friendships and family dynamics come to upset this generation of great-grandchildren of the iconic Emma Harte!
March 5, 2021
This book was on my bookshelf and I had no internet at the time to read on a Kindle. Turns out it was the fourth in a series. Well no wonder there was a list of characters at the front! Other than referring to that several times, I enjoyed the book. It incorporated WWII into the story very well (though all the sons returning was a bit unrealistic). I would have like to have read the first three books and think I would have enjoyed this more had I done that. The ending was a bit boring but if it ended a 4 part series, I could understand it wouldn't be a cliff hanger or anything too shocking.
May 7, 2022
Thirty years ago in London, Emma Harte create a business empire that Paula her granddaughter inherited.
In America, Evan Hughs's grandmother on her death bed whispered "see Emma". Evan takes this revelation seriously and moves to London. Evan becomes employed as a fashion designer by Paula Harte.
Evan's facial features are striking to the Harte lineage. Unbeknownst to her, she is related to this family that has become dear to her heart.
Events and people come out of the family's shadow. Paula finds Emma's long-lost diaries. To her great surprise, she discovers Emma's secret.
In America, Evan Hughs's grandmother on her death bed whispered "see Emma". Evan takes this revelation seriously and moves to London. Evan becomes employed as a fashion designer by Paula Harte.
Evan's facial features are striking to the Harte lineage. Unbeknownst to her, she is related to this family that has become dear to her heart.
Events and people come out of the family's shadow. Paula finds Emma's long-lost diaries. To her great surprise, she discovers Emma's secret.
September 2, 2022
This descriptive book lets you fall into the world of the extremely rich and famous Harte family. The story continues about Paula, Linnet, and Tessa. You learn of Linnet's love and about the plots Jonathon Harte is hatching. You also learn about the full out war for the next in line of the Harte empire.
You also meet Evan who is the spiting image almost of Paula. She comes over to get a j0b in the Harte stores and to earn recognition of her talent. She is woven into the Harte women when a secret is uncovered in Emma Harte's letters.
You also meet Evan who is the spiting image almost of Paula. She comes over to get a j0b in the Harte stores and to earn recognition of her talent. She is woven into the Harte women when a secret is uncovered in Emma Harte's letters.
September 15, 2022
I am hooked on the Emma Harte series of books. Not sure why. Good plots, interesting characters mostly well developed, love the descriptions of clothes and jewels. But basically these rich, good looking people have to grapple with the same sorts of issues us plebs grapple with - honesty, integrity, loyalty, friendship and love - or the lack of same.
In this book we again encounter Emma herself and that was welcome. Also the plot of this one kept me guessing until Evan's father's identity was revealed.
In this book we again encounter Emma herself and that was welcome. Also the plot of this one kept me guessing until Evan's father's identity was revealed.
September 16, 2017
Ill....all of the cousins in a relationship. It's really kind of disturbing.
This book was the worst of the four. It seemed to be thrown together. The middle section about the war talked way to much about Winston Churchill. The end was wrapped up really quickly.
It also bothered me how often the author used the word "murmured". To me that means someone is saying something almost under their breath. But she wasn't using it that way so it was a really weird reading experience.
This book was the worst of the four. It seemed to be thrown together. The middle section about the war talked way to much about Winston Churchill. The end was wrapped up really quickly.
It also bothered me how often the author used the word "murmured". To me that means someone is saying something almost under their breath. But she wasn't using it that way so it was a really weird reading experience.
April 23, 2021
The Great Grandchildren
Really enjoyed rereading this continuing novel re the Harte family. I first read all of the novels after Woman of Substance because I was hooked on the Harte family! It was fun to read about Emma’s great grandchildren and to continue forward! These 7 novels are even better the 2nd time around! Thank you Barbara Taylor Bradford for these amazing stories of the Harte family!!!!!
Really enjoyed rereading this continuing novel re the Harte family. I first read all of the novels after Woman of Substance because I was hooked on the Harte family! It was fun to read about Emma’s great grandchildren and to continue forward! These 7 novels are even better the 2nd time around! Thank you Barbara Taylor Bradford for these amazing stories of the Harte family!!!!!
April 29, 2022
I didn’t actually finish this book. Years ago I enjoyed Woman of Substance and perhaps my tastes have changed since then as I was expecting to enjoy this book as well.
I found myself getting annoyed reading about how beautiful and wealthy these people were…reading in minute detail about the impeccable expensive clothes they were wearing…it’s like the author needed to constantly drill these facts into your head as if they were important to the story.
I found myself getting annoyed reading about how beautiful and wealthy these people were…reading in minute detail about the impeccable expensive clothes they were wearing…it’s like the author needed to constantly drill these facts into your head as if they were important to the story.
September 25, 2025
This book is almost unreadable. One of the major characters is unexplicably 180 degrees different from what he is in the previous novels. One thing that irritates me is that there’s a scene right after WWII in 1945 where Emma and others are talking about whether to publish Holocaust photos in their paper, and they repeatedly use the word “genocide” in the conversation, even though the word was not in common use until 1946..
February 11, 2018
So boring. I didn’t finish the the last few pages because I Just didn’t care anymore. Too many characters to keep track of, too much explaining. The main story, I think, ... was a “who’s the daddy” kind of mystery, except it was more like “who’s the grandpa”.
I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I think I’ve got the gist. *yawn*
I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I think I’ve got the gist. *yawn*
September 10, 2018
I read the first three books of the series years ago so I don't really remember very much. I know that I did enjoy them (why would I read all three if I didn't). This time though, I couldn't get into it. There were too many characters to think about (and I found it frustrating having to go back to the beginning of the book to see who was related to who).
March 21, 2019
This was a huge disappointment, too many characters, good story lines hurried along ( like the abuse, etc) and rather slow paced. The inbreeding was also disturbing! Evan is told by her grandmother on her death bed to go to London and find Emma Harte. Evan does and meets hundreds of people who look just like hernd u covers the secret of her heritage!
April 11, 2020
Finally I warmed to Emma. I saw a softer, kinder more generous side of her in this book. The books have a certain formula to them. The in Emma’s mould, the hard working descendants, the jealous vindictive descendants, the love affairs that were meant to be, almost reincarnations. However, I do live the escapism. Don’t be fooled, it’s not Emma’s secret, but rather one she chose to keep.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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