Thanks Lake Union Publishing n d netgalley for this ARC.

Expect the unexpected. Art, life, and love. Can they go together?

This was my first Ella Carey novel and I LOVED it! I appreciated how the time setting for each chapter was clearly displayed so there was no confusion. I really liked the way the story was set up so it felt like I was reading Edward's book along with Tess while getting all the details that might not have been included in his actual novel. It was interesting to see the mirroring that happened with Edward & Rebecca's relationship to Tess & James' relationship; each couple had differing class representation. The twist towards the end of the book was excellent and the ending was perfect in my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley & Lake Union for the chance to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet love story that ranges years of ups and downs, surprises and heartaches to finally come around to being told and revered! The characters are well developed and the plot is an interesting spiel. I am not a fan of getting into the past, then back to the present every other chapter the way this book did. I always appreciate the writing more when the past is told, then it's brought forward to the future ... it just makes it flow and work better for me. Overall, an endearing story!

New York editor Tess Miller feels like her world is crumbling down around her. She already has a strained family life, and now the job that she lives for is falling apart. The prestigious author she spent years molding into a hit is being handed over to the new golden boy of the company, and she's being handed what appears to be a washed up poet trying to reclaim his youth!

The more she reads Edward Russell's story and the deeper she researches his past love Rebecca Swift, the more intriguing she finds them. A poignant love story is taking root, and she can't help but be enthralled by it. When she uncovers a secret from Rebecca's life, she's left with how to reveal it without anyone getting hurt, and with letting the light of true love everlasting still be the spotlight.

Ella Carey is quickly turning into a must-read author for me. There is something magical about the way she draws you so completely into the past. I've read her other books, so when this one became available for review from NetGalley, I jumped on it. Plus, I can never pass up a story set in Australia. This book touched on a significant period in Australia's recent history, with the emergence of a modernist movement after WWII, in art and literature. It was a rejection of the historical ways and a need to be equal, free, expressive and honest. This book reminded me very much of The Strays by Emily Bitto, which also touched on this period of history in Melbourne. The twist is that we are getting the historical side of the story via a novel being written and we are following a contemporary editor, Tess, who is working with the author, Edward. Unfortunately, I didn't care for Tess and never understood her hostility, her paranoia at work or her intense hatred of James, a rival at work. I also don't like love stories that blossom from seemingly nowhere...that is how Tess' storyline felt to me. I found myself skipping large pieces of her chapters to get back to Edward and Rebecca's story. Fortunately, Tess' piece didn't take away from the story. I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

SECRET SHORES by author Ella Carey is a September 2017 release by Lake Union Publishing.

I loved this story right from the beginning to the end. It is fast-paced and makes you keep on reading or listening as in my case I had the audio version of it.

Tess Miller as an editor at a big publishing house is stuck with a new writer as the writer she mentored to the top was taken away from her. She was bitter at her boss and the editor, James, who took away her author.

But she decided to work with her new writer and make him a bestseller. The story is engrossing and interesting to read as it takes as back to 1946 then to 1987. And lives and loves in these decades.

Author Ella Carey once again wrote a well-woven story with compelling characters and a moving tale.

Although I read and enjoyed Ella Carey’s prior 3 books, Secret Shores was disappointing. The first half was slow and repetitive, so I kept setting it aside. It picked up in the last third, but the characters seemed to need more dimension. I especially found Tess to be so steeped in her own insecurities (and anger) that she lacked perspective, warmth or humor. The same could be said of Rebecca though less so. It was difficult to like either of them. Perhaps more dialog between the couples (Edward/Rebecca and Tess/James) and less negative introspection would have enriched their characters and made the love stories warmer and more real. There were some worthwhile themes but they seemed overshadowed by the unhappy characters.

This is satisfying storytelling. Carey has crafted a tale that spans time and continents with wonderful characters and a good believable plot. I especially liked the opportunity to learn more about the modernist movement. The lovers- all four of them- are totally engaging (even Tess' struggle with James.). Loved Rebecca, loved the descriptions of Australia. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for a rainy day!

MS Carey has done it again written a story that is moving, compelling and not put down-able I savoured every word, this one takes us from 1946 to 1987 and where we learn about life after the war and the people who believe in the modernist movement, their lives then and for some now, the loves the loses and the strength that is shown as they journey through ups and downs.

In 1946 Rebecca Swift dreams of being an artist her work is complex and modern her views are very forward and she belongs to a group of likeminded people famous artists and writers of the day, there she meets writer Edward Russell part of one of the big Australian families but Edward is also a different thinker and it is love at first sight for these two, but don’t ever think that true love runs smoothly family tragedy takes its toll on both Rebecca and Edward and Rebecca disappears and Edward does the right thing by his family but never forgets his Rebecca.

In 1987 Edward now widowed decides that it is time to write again and he must write about Rebecca and their lives and her fabulous art work, hence he comes in contact with editor Tess Miller who is not happy about this to start with but Tess falls for the story a true love story as far as she is concerned but Tess is struggling with her own dreams and there are complications between Edward and Tess regarding the story so another editor steps in James and their meetings are filled with sparks not always the good ones their relationship is a very complicated one at best they have a lot to overcome.

Tess feels this tragic story so deeply there is a mystery in it that she needs to uncover, there are so many similarities between Rebecca and Edward and Tess and James has fate bought them together and as the past and present intertwine can love be found again and then open up for Tess and James? This story unravels secrets, heart-ache and a love so deep it lasts through time. I highly recommend this story it is multifaceted, enthralling and just so darn good I didn’t want to put it down thank you MS Carey for another book that is going to stay with me for a long time.

Tess is an editor and just lost her big client to another editor James. In return she acquires Edward Russell. He is writing of his lost love Rebecca. Rebecca disappeared in 1946 and Edward has never forgotten her. Tess is drawn to James even though she doesn't want to be. This book is a beautifully written story of love and loss. I loved the descriptions of Australia and felt I was right there with the characters. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Enjoyable story from Ella Carey. She writes with an easy style, I enjoy.
Good plot and likeable characters
Netgalley Review

Thoroughly enjoyable double story. Two worlds,two time periods and two romances. Throw in a bit of a twist and you have Secret Shores.

I have read all of Ella Carey's books. She is one of my favorite authors. In 1946, artist Rebecca Swift disappears off the Australian Coast. Now, we go forward in time and meet Tess Miller, a New York editor. Tess is having some problems with her career so she takes on the editing of a book by an unknown author, Edward Russell. As she works with him, she discovers some secrets about Edward and Rebecca. Also, there is a little romance along the way. Highly recommend!

I love Ella Carey's work, and this one was superb. I enjoy her sense of place, and she writes characters with a great deal of depth. This was an enjoyable read

Stirring and empowering, novel from bestselling author Ella Carey once again plumbs the depths of human experience in this tale of one woman’s loss and love.

In Australia a young artist disappears off the coast in 1946. In 1987 Rome, Edward, after the death of his wife, is caught up in memories of his Australian youth. In New York, Tess, a successful editor at a well established publisher, is horrified to be told by her boss her carefully nurtured bestselling author is to be handled by a newly hired editor, upper crust, handsome wunderkind James Cooper. She's humiliated to be handed a new author, Edward, a former poet from Australia. Despite many misgivings, once she reads parts of the manuscript, she's drawn into the story and is determined this book will be a bestseller.
Although I'm not a fan of romance, this book was enjoyable and interesting. Unfortunately, I didn't take to Tess, her histrionics were an irritation; thus the 3 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

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