All My Secrets + Giveaway

Bestselling author Lynn Austin returns with a luminous work of historical fiction set amid the opulence of Gilded Age New York, where three generations of women in one family must reckon with the choices they have made and their hopes for the future.

New York, 1898. The only thing more shocking than Arthur Stanhope III’s unexpected death is the revelation that his will bestows his company―and most of the vast fortune that goes with it―to the nearest male heir, leaving his mother, wife, and daughter nearly impoverished. His widow, Sylvia, quickly realizes she must set aside her grief to ensure their daughter, Adelaide, is launched into society as soon as the appropriate mourning period passes. If Sylvia can find a wealthy husband for Addy before anyone realizes they’re practically destitute, there will be little disruption to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to.

Sylvia’s mother-in-law, Junietta, believes their life could use a little disruption. She has watched Sylvia play her role as a society wife, as Junietta once did, despite what it cost them both. Junietta vows to give her granddaughter the power to choose a path beyond what society expects.

But for Addy to have that chance, both mother and grandmother must first confront painful truths about their own choices. Only in bringing their secrets to light can they hope to reshape their family inheritance into a legacy more fulfilling than they ever dared dream.

My Review:

I’m gobsmacked and teary-eyed and quite reluctant to leave Gilded Age New York and the characters I’ve grown to love . ‘All My Secrets’ is the kind of rich, absorbing story that leaves a reader feeling bereft once she reaches the end. I’m still experiencing the aftershocks of joy and heartache and hope and I just want to sit with it all in quiet contemplation for awhile.

There’s no doubt that Lynn Austin is a masterful storyteller. The combination of descriptive writing, deeply layered plot and characters who take on a life of their own is so alluring! The historical details are illuminating as we follow three generations of Stanhope women at a pivotal time in American history.

The story is told from three points of view as Junietta, Sylvia and Adelaide are forced to come to terms with the sudden change in their circumstances. While most of the story takes place in ‘present day’ (1898) we are given flashbacks into the early lives of Junietta and Sylvia, so this is kind of a dual timeline as well. And oh my, those back stories!!!! The lessons learned (and not!) Powerful and moving and Christ centred. Loved the faith elements shared in this book.

Then there’s Addy, a young woman who has spent her entire life doing what is expected of her. Now she’s torn between duty to her mother and the disruptive ideas of her grandmother. Riveting stuff. The kind of all-consuming read that leaves you with a book hangover by the end!

I enjoyed listening to Sarah Zimmerman’s excellent narration. She’s a familiar voice in my audiobook library and I love the feeling of being invited back into a favourite storyteller’s circle once again.

My thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of All My Secrets.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of All My Secrets , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 10 2024.

52 thoughts on “All My Secrets + Giveaway”

  3. I agree with you this is an incredible, heartwarming, amazing story. I’m excited to share this book with the book club ladies! Just giving a shout out for this book. You don’t want to miss this book. Be prepared to burn the midnight oil! Thanks for your review!

    Nora

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  6. Thank you for your review! “All My Secrets” sounds absolutely fabulous and is already on my TBR list. Can’t wait for the opportunity to read it – your review just makes it even more so.

    Great appreciate the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  9. I love the dual timeline aspect and all of society expectations, but the bottom line here is that it’s a Lynn Austin novel and you really can’t go wrong there. Her novels are epic and usually pretty long. I always enjoy some length to a good novel. I’m not sure if she publishes one or two books a year? So you have to be patient!

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    1. Yes, the dual timeline is interesting because it’s within their lifetime — well the grandmother’s and mother’s at least instead of being one modern day and one historical. And the story just flew by despite the length. Loved diving in and out of each woman’s life. Amazingly well done. Good luck, Perrianne!

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  11. My February release comment about hard to choose just one?? This was the other title I had a hard time leaving behind! Yippee for second chances!! And a dual-timeline, you say, added to favorite… wow. Great review, Kav.
    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

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  12. Lynn Austin is another one of those authors who I’ve heard great things about, but I think I’ve only read one of her books so far. I would love to remedy that! This book sounds wonderful.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. Isn’t this Gilded Age book a departure from her more typical releases? Was just trying to remember as have read and very much liked several of her books but I know she has been a popular author for some years now. Enjoyed the review!

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    1. Thanks, CC. I think she’s written books with all different timelines. One of my favourites in Wonderland Creek which is set in the 1930s. She’s written a few WWII books, bet that’s what you’re thinking of. But she’s written a series set during the Civil War, a few books set in the late 1800s and even some biblical fiction!

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  14. Great review and I definitely had a book hangover.

    I mean what could possibly come behind it?!

    I got a copy for review on Friday and finished Sunday. I could hardly put it down but had to do things…like eat, sleep and shower 😁 I just loved it, and Junietta is my hero! I know it’s only February, but All My Secrets is already on my Best of 2024 list.

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    1. Bwahahaha! So glad you fit showering in there. 🙂 I know, it’s such a compelling book and Junietta was my favourite too. What she went through and rose above and…oy…such an impactful story. Thanks for sharing some book talk, Tracey!

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  19. Thanks for the great review. I’ve read a couple of Lynn Austin’s books and have this one on my list to read this year.

    Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  21. You’ve totally won me over with your review of this book, Kav! And you cracked me up when you said the book left you with a ‘book hangover’ by the end! I love your review quips!

    Alison Boss

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. I read my first novel by her in 2023 and already have the second book planned for this year. I’d love to read this!
    Obertam at gmail dot com

    Thanks!

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