When I am asked if I would like to review a book and join a blog tour I do feel as if I am put in a position of trust and it's my job to write about the book honestly and not give anything away, so after reading I sit and look at a blank screen for a while and then start the review keeping in the back of my mind that I mustn't be a plot spoiler!
So to begin with - some blurb, I first came across Faith Hogan whilst on a memorable holiday in the Dordogne and read My Husband's Wives which I enjoyed hugely so when I was asked if I would like to review and take part in the Blog Tour for Secrets We Keep I, of course, said yes thank you!
Faith Hogan was born in Ireland. She gained an Honours Degree in English Literature and Psychology from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate Degree from University College, Galway. She has worked as a fashion model, an event’s organiser and in the intellectual disability and mental health sector. She was a winner in the 2014 Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair – an international competition for emerging writers.
Two distant relatives, drawn together in companionship are forced to confront their pasts and learn that some people are good at keeping secrets and some secrets are never meant to be kept. A bittersweet story of love, loss and life. Perfect for the fans of Patricia Scanlan and Adele Parks.
The beautiful old Bath House in Ballytokeep has lain empty and abandoned for decades. For devoted pensioners Archie and Iris, it holds too many conflicting memories of their adolescent dalliances and tragic consequences – sometimes it’s better to leave the past where it belongs.
For highflying, top London divorce lawyer Kate Hunt, it’s a fresh start – maybe even her future. On a winter visit to see her estranged Aunt Iris she falls in love with the Bath House. Inspired, she moves to Ballytokeep leaving her past heartache 600 miles away – but can you ever escape your past or your destiny?
Kate's life was not at all straightforward, absent father, uncaring mother, distant family, passed from pillar to post, being dumped before the wedding and working her socks off as divorce lawyer in London. Then she leaves it all behind and heads to Ireland for a more simpler way of life, for a break and finds herself bewitched and enchanted by friendship and opportunities.
The way in which she delves into the history of the building and the area is so well written, it would be so easy for me to say I can picture it, but I can such is the descriptive shared by Faith Hogan. I believe I have sat in that cafe and watched the world go by!
The sweet way in which her relationship builds with Archie and Iris is heartwarming, they all seem to be keeping something back and when the cat is out of the bag the love and warmth is all too evident. Very much like with Her Husband's Wives I gasped! Actually when the secrets are all out then everything falls into place and what is nice is there are no recriminations. With the arrival of Todd and his ghastly on/off girlfriend Kate's bliss is thrown into disarray but once bitten, twice shy? There's always a winner and a loser when the heart is involved and without giving anything away this book won my heart! Cheesy reader alert!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone looking for gentle escapism, but be warned once you get started you will want to read it all in one go!
Thank you Aria for sending me a copy and thank you Faith for once again writing something I so wanted to read and share.
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You can check out the books on:
Amazon.co.uk http://amzn.to/2h7Adn6 Amazon.com Amazon.com Faith Hogan
Kobo Kobo Secrets We Keep Google Play http://bit.ly/2gS3iVH
iBooks - http://apple.co/2hBcaQR