Daphne is a young woman recently engaged to Heath. Daphne tries to hide and forget some of her horrible past. When Heath and Daphne meet it seems to be a match made in heaven as they both are trying to get over past traumas and heal themselves emotionally. Both are secretive and don't want to share their pasts with anyone even themselves. When Heath insists that Daphne accompany him to a psychological retreat Daphne reluctantly agrees. After checking into the Brakkens retreat and meeting the Doctor strange things begin to happen. No one is allowed to have a computer/cellphone or tablet. Guests are not to speak with each other. Cameras are monitoring their actions in their rooms almost 24hours a day. Daphne becomes suspicious when another guest seems to disappear. I tried to make many guesses on what was going on in this novel but was unsuccessful which made this a very good read as there was a lot of suspense and surprise throughout this gripping book.

How well do you really know someone?

This book centers on a young woman, Daphne, with plenty of secrets, who finds a kindred spirit in the handsome, wealthy Heath, who she becomes engaged to. Without warning, Heath becomes tormented by nightmares and asks Daphne to attend a counseling retreat in the mountains with him.

As they attend the isolated retreat, Daphne begins to suspect that there is much she does not know about the man she plans to marry.

I have read every Emily Carpenter book, and I really enjoy her ability to finely draw characters and build suspense in a natural believable way. She is definitely a reigning queen of Gothic fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for my free review copy.

Every Single Secret by Emily Carpenter is a creepy, eerily atmospheric read. The story is mainly set at a mountain location where Heath and Daphne are attending a couple’s retreat. The retreat is hosted by Dr. Cerny, a very creepy character. Right from the start, it is evident that something is wrong. Everyone seems to be hiding something! Daphne has a secret past. Heath is having nightmares that also hint at buried secrets and Dr. Cerny, is just shady. I was hooked and couldn’t wait to unravel all the mysteries.

The story has a bit of a complex narrative style. There are three main timelines. One is set a few days after the retreat started. There is another set during the retreat and the third details Daphne’s past. I really liked the one on Daphne’s past. There was something extra creepy about it and it did have some interesting revelations. The present narration moved a bit slow for me. I felt like a lot of time was spent with Daphne just walking and looking around. I was curious to know what she would discover but I wasn’t as invested in her narration as I should have been. I don’t think the third narration added much to the story.

In the end, I was left with mixed feelings about this book. I loved a number of things in the story and especially enjoyed the final chapters. They were fast-paced and thrilling. However, there are other aspects of the books that I struggled with. I am in the minority though because most readers seemed to have enjoyed the entire story way more than I did. If the premise appeals to you, then definitely read the book. One thing though, the writing was brilliant and I liked the seamless shift between narrations. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received this book "Every Single Secret" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. This book was just totally crazy! You will never guess what is going to happen next. Words to describe this book - creepy, mysterious, secretive, suspenseful, shocking, unique. I thought the end was really good. Daphne and Heath are about to be married but Heath has been having nightmares. They decide to go to a couples retreat so he can get help. They both have secrets and agreed to let the past be the past but the nightmares are getting bad. You really have to read the whole book for it to make sense. Posted on GoodRead also.

What happens in this book is quite shocking.

The author does an excellent job of lulling you into a sort of complacency. You know that something is wrong at this place, but you have zero clue what the actuality is. And once you find out, she leaves you stunned.

While the story starts out slow (but never sluggish), things ramp up and the last 3rd of the book is simply a frantic pace - with the reader still in a slight sense of disbelief.

I enjoyed this one. I liked being so very surprised. And I'd love to read the author again.

Absolutely LOVED this book!!! I loved Emily Carpenter's previous books and this one was just as good. As soon as I started reading it I was hooked and didn't want to put it down.

Heath and Daphne are engaged to be married. They love each other but never talk to each other about their past. Daphne kept many secrets about her time spent on a ranch after losing her mother and becoming a ward of the State of Georgia. She blamed herself for what happened and thought of herself as a monster. When she meets Heath, Daphne knows he is the one. She even uses the word soulmate. Heath starts having violent nightmares. He wants Daphne to accompany him on a couples retreat out in the middle of nowhere for a week. He thinks the therapy will help with the nightmares and their relationship. There are many rules at the retreat. No talking to the other couples, no phones or internet, stay out of the off limits rooms and they will be filmed. Daphne refuses to take part in the therapy but does violate each rule. Once Heath and Daphne are at the retreat, the craziness begins. I had no idea what was going to happen, there were so many twists and turns. I never imagined the ending. The book was simply awesome.

I loved the characters, story and writing style. I enjoyed reading about Daphne's time at the ranch. There are no words to describe Heath or even Dr. Cerny. I kept asking myself- what is going on here? Secrets, there are so many secrets in this book. All the characters are hiding a secret or two. Some of the people aren't even who they pretend to be. I definitely recommend this book!!!! I can't wait to read more by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Emily Carpenter, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

This is one twisty-suspense novel that is full of secrets and will have you questioning everything!!!

Emily Carpenter is a new-to-me author and I’m so glad I was given an opportunity to read and review this book! This book takes a few chapters to get into, because the character dynamics are untraditional. But once you’re in, prepare to be questioning everything and everyone in a slow-building suspense novel with a thrilling conclusion!

Daphne has finally found her own person to call her family…

Daphne was raised in foster homes and a girls’ ranch, and has had no family to speak of her whole life. But Daphne is a survivor—strong and intelligent, and scrappy as all-get-out. When she met Heath, she instantly knew she had found her partner. Heath and Daphne fell hard and fast, and are engaged to be married. Sounds perfect, right? There’s a catch: Daphne and Heath have an agreement to never discuss their pasts. But what happens if the past can’t be ignored anymore?

Heath needs help processing his past demons…

Despite their agreement, Heath’s past can’t be ignored any longer. Wracked with horrible nightmares, Heath knows he needs to work through his issues to finally be free. When Heath asks Daphne to attend a week-long couple’s retreat with the esteemed Dr. Cerny to delve into his past, Daphne is understandably hesitant. The Retreat involves camera footage of the couple taken most of the day and evening, and intensive therapy sessions to work with Dr. Cerny. But Heath needs this, and Daphne reluctantly agrees, on the condition that she will not be doing the therapy, and will only be there to support Heath.

They arrive for the Retreat, only to find that all may not be as it seemed…

As they settle in, Daphne quickly becomes curious about Dr. Cerny and his methods. Stealing around the house and grounds, Daphne begins to question everything. Are the cameras really turned off at the designated times? And why isn’t she allowed to befriend the other couples on the Retreat? And most importantly—if Heath’s past comes out, will hers have to as well???

Initially I found Daphne and Heath tough to connect with, because they are very nontraditional. They live in the present and future, and are both terrified of dark pasts. I enjoyed learning about each of their pasts as the book went on, through some clever plot mechanisms that allowed it to be revealed to the reader. I am a communicator, so their lack of communication drove me nuts! But that is the point of these two characters. They saw their counterpoint in the other, and it works for them.

The creepy house, and the premise of the retreat were so intriguing to me. I loved the descriptions of the grounds and the house itself, as well as of the characters. And what a cast of characters this book has!!! You may not like them all, but I dare readers to try to find a boring character among the lot! The theme of secrets and hidden pasts really carried this book. There was always the sense from every single character that you don’t have the full story, and it kept me reading to want to know more.

As for the ending—I found it satisfying! It certainly was a twist I didn’t expect, and there was enough plot remaining after the BIG TWIST to wrap the loose threads up in a way that I left the book feeling like I got closure and enough answers. I highly recommend this book to suspense-lovers! Particularly to those who like the psychological aspect to mysteries. This one is a doozy and has its own enigmatic psychologist to go along with it!

Many thanks to Emily Carpenter, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read this book!

I have enjoyed every single one of Emily Carpenter's books. This one was fast-paced, entertaining with just enough creepiness.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.
This awesome very creepy Thriller kept me guessing to the end and I had a hard time putting it down.
The writing grabbed me from the very beginning and kept me rightly the end and the plot was over the top excellent!
The characters were mysterious and somewhat creepy and very damaged I loved the way they were written!
This book gets a 5 star rating from me and I want more from this author!

Every Single Secret by Emily Carpenter is a dark, creepy gothic style read. It’s a suspense that’s loaded with all kinds of crazy twists. Going in you feel like Daphne Amos is the sick and twisted character, but watch out for her soon to be husband Heath Beck! So many surprises that you just won’t see coming. Sort of resembles books by author V. C. Andrews, who I loved. Definitely worth recommending to fellow readers. I myself will probably reread again in the future as I was ill at the time of reading and probably didn’t enjoy as much due to the way I felt. I’d like to thank NetGalley and author Emily Carpenter for allowing me to read an early ARC.

This is a good psychological suspense with complex characters. The twists and turns of their relationship had me turning pages and at the edge of my seat. This is one of those reads that will keep me thinking for a long time. The story stays with you even after you're done with the last page, mouth agape and stoic.

I would like to thank Net Galley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for the chance to read this before it hits stores later this month. It was a wild ride from the start. I was a little concerned about this retreat that Heath wanted to go on to help figure out why he was having the nightmares. I mean who needs to go out on the middle if no where with no phone or anything. I did like how Daphne went with him to be supportive. I liked how the author went a out telling you the background on Daphne. The way that the story plot moved was kind of differernt which isn't a bad thing. When all the pieces started to fall into place my mouth dropped. I mean that is a ot of planning to go through just to not really get revenge but to tell someone about your past. I liked Lucas from the start just because I felt that he was trying to help without helping and getting caught. I liked the ending for sure and how she was going to be open from the start.

Favorite Quotes:

I am what people call guarded. I don’t blog. I don’t post. I don’t share. I don’t love people in that beaming, open-armed way you’re supposed to, but there is a good reason for it. Dark things vein through me, the way precious metal shoots through the heart of a mountain. Dark things that should stay hidden, embedded deep within the rock. It is for the greater good that I stand guard over my mountain, over my past.

He’s a locked door, Daphne. And he doesn’t like it if you knock too hard.

I can’t afford to be driving you gals into town for this, that, and the other. Around here, if you get a fever, we call the preacher ’cause he lays on hands for free.

It hadn’t taken me but a week at the ranch to figure out that Mrs. Bobbie was the ringmaster and Mr. Al was the clown that cleaned up the elephant poop.

My Review:

I quickly fell into this tautly written, captivating, and intriguing tale that essentially held me hostage and on edge from the first sentence to the last few pages. The storyline was unpredictable, fascinating, horrifying, cringe-worthy, and brilliantly crafted. I didn’t want to put my Kindle down and essentially abandoned all plans for the day and left my phone unanswered. Ms. Carpenter must have completed a massive amount of research, as she was spot on with her peculiar and warped characters’ particular oddities, quirks, and disorders, and better yet, still allowed them to be endearing and alluring despite their diabolical tendencies. I was so absorbed by her flawlessly transportive writing I felt myself holding my breath and even bracing for impact more than once. This clever author has cunning and guile and deftly put me right beside her characters in every scene with lush and evocative details. I think she may be onto something with this writing hobby.

I love nothing more than being blindsided by a book. To happily and trustingly follow my little breadcrumb trail until I suddenly stand open-mouthed and in shock, realising I have walked right into a trap. With the growing trend of the “killer twist”, we are so on alert for these false trails that it is getting harder to find a book that manages to do that. I am happy to announce that this is one of them!

The story itself sounds irresistibly intriguing. Daphne and Heath are a young couple who are very much in love but who each carry dark secrets from the past they have never discussed with anyone for fear of destroying their relationship. The deal of making a fresh start without snooping into each other’s lives works well until Heath becomes increasingly distant and unhappy. He claims that in order to make the relationship work, he will need to come to term with his demons and make Daphne face hers. What better way to do that than join a reclusive couples retreat, run by a renowned psychotherapist that specialises in couples therapy? Daphne, predictable, is not at all eager to open this can of worms, but she goes along with Heath under one condition – she will support him but will not be participating in the therapy herself. And this is how the two find themselves and two other couples in the middle of nowhere in a large spooky mansion rigged with cameras, where the retreat will be taking place. Phones, ipads and other electronic devices are being taken off them at the door, and there is no link with the outside world. The fun has just begun ....

Carpenter proved with her last book (The Weight of Lies) that she can tell a good, original story, and she certainly continues the trend with this one. Here is a writer who can not only spin a good tale, but who is the queen of unhealthy family relationships that lend a sinister quality to the storyline. Whilst the unusual element in her last book was “a book in a book” (with excerpt from one of the characters’ books “Kitten” featuring strongly in the storyline), this story is told a bit more conventionally incorprating each character’s flashbacks to the dark secrets in their pasts that weigh heavily on their shoulders. And boy oh boy, you are in for some surprises here!

Three of the things I loved most about The Weight of Lies again make a comeback here: 1) an eerie, claustrophobic and gothic setting; 2) damaged but relatable characters who draw you into the story; 3) an irresistibly broody narrative full of foreshadowing that keeps you turning the pages frantically. I read this in one long night and blame my bad-tempered sleep deprived self on the quality of the story! For those similarly afflicted readers who, like me, find it difficult to suspend disbelief (the struggle is real!), there will most likely come a moment when you flounder a little bit – well, I did. It did not take away my enjoyment of the book, but left me wishing that someone else in my circle had read the book as I was itching so badly to discuss spoilers!

So for the short version: if you loved Carpenter’s earlier work, you will appreciate the same irresistible writing, claustrophobic setting and interesting characters the last book offered. Anyone who claims they saw the twist coming – maybe you’re super-Sherlock, but I don’t know if I believe you!

Every Single Secret by Emily Carpenter started out well, but after a while I had to give up on this title. Kind of unbelievable that the main character would go along to a facility so her boyfriend could be treated for his mental health issues. What is she supposed to do all day? She is instantly bored, and seems to break in to everything in the house where they are staying,never getting caught. Not realistic. Who would agree to being filmed basically 24/7? I gave up about 3/4 of the way through, had enough of the characters and the plot. The setting in North Georgia could have been explored a little more as well.

Such a unique thriller! I was sucked into the story immediately. I love the premise of characters going to a secluded location and feeling like something is off. This book worked that premise so artfully. I absolutely loved how Wuthering Heights was used in the story. And I did not see the ending coming. I loved the style of writing and the overall atmosphere of the book. Definitely would recommend.

This book was good, but not as good as I would have liked. The premise was good - secluded therapy in the mountains, a husband having nightmares, dark things ensue - but to me, the middle dragged. Not horribly, but enough to make me a tiny bit bored. Still, overall it was good, and I did like the ending. A solid 4 stars from me.

Fans of dark, twisty suspense will ADORE this novel. I loved Emily Carpenter's first book, BURYING THE HONEYSUCKLE GIRLS, and it seems like with each subsequent book she continues to take things up a notch. Other reviewers have mentioned the interesting structure of EVERY SINGLE SECRET so I won't repeat it, but I will say that the structure works and keeps the reader's interest. We get to see how the past has impacted the present. The pacing is good and the ending payoff does not disappoint. I especially appreciated the creepy atmosphere and all the secrets!

I will always have a soft spot for Emily Carpenter and her novels because Burying the Honeysuckle Girls was one of the first books I read when I decided to create this blog. Her second book, The Weight of Lies remains a favorite of mine because of its amazing setting, and Every Single Secret was another great read by her.

This is the story of Daphne Amos, a young woman who believes she has found her soulmate in Heath, a mysterious man with whom she has a lot in common. Both Daphne and Heath are mysterious individuals who keep their secrets hidden from each other. And that has worked pretty well for them until Heath decides to work on his issues while spending a week in an isolated house in the woods, being treated by psychologist Dr. Cerny.

Every Single Secret was a slow-paced book at first, especially during the first half. However, I was captivated by the creepy setting, as Emily is a truly great writer and she creates the most wonderful atmospheres. You know there’s clearly something wrong going on, but you don’t know exactly what. How I love that feeling!

Despite the slower first half, the last 30% of the book was super thrilling and engaging, and the reveals turned the story into a gothic psychological thriller with a modern twist. I won’t spoil anything here, but the concept behind the novel was so smart and fascinating that I have been thinking about it since then. Still, I have to admit I kind of wanted something else to happen, but I will keep it to myself…

Every Single Secret is perfect for fans of modern gothic literature and psychology. Don’t miss my interview with the lovely Emily Carpenter that will be published later this week 💜

P.S THAT cover!

Every Single Secret is a thriller that begs the question “How long can you hide secrets from the one you love?”
Daphne and Heath are a couple who have secrets and until this point in the relationship they were ok keeping their secrets from one another. But when Heath starts having nightmares and knows he must reveal his secrets to move on and release his inner demons can Daphne handle the secrets that Heath has to share, and more importantly can Heath handler Daphne’s? This story was filled with plot twists that I, a seasoned reader, didn’t see coming. It was a fast enjoyable read! This is the second book that I have read by this author and I will keep checking her out!