I enjoyed the story very much. It was my first read from the author, and I will definitely check out more books in the near future.

This is a well done dual time line novel with both romance and a. bit of a mystery. And sadness. I liked the setting and the time periods- 1920 and 1942 - reminded me of how things have changed. A good read.

A great read. I enjoyed reading it and it has a great plot and characters. I also look forward to more books from the author.

I really enjoyed this book. It was brilliantly written with a great cast of characters and intriguing plot that kept me turning the pages. Perfect read to escape from day to day life. A great read.

Jennifer Wells is a new author to me and this is the first book I completed in 2019. Ironically the first book read in 2018 was her previous novel. I can see a pattern forming and just like the first book I read a year ago the latest one was interesting, captivating and a thoroughly good read.

1920 - Lily, a dancer is invited to go and stay at Elmridge House with Dr Cuthbertson a doctor and a wealthy benefactor of the theatre to recover from her troubles.

1942 - Ivy, a nurse at the local cottage hospital is called out to Elmridge House to a distressed Mrs Cuthbertson and the elusive Dr Cuthbertson. The house is nothing like she has seen before, its grandeur evident from the moment you turn onto the drive.

When Ivy mentions her visit to Elmridge House to her mother, she is warned to never set foot in the place again. Ivy is given no explanation.

As the two narratives take us on a journey, there becomes the cross over where the actions of Ivy and Lily come forever intertwined and the story of what goes on at Elmridge House is revealed.

I really don't want to say anymore, because it is a book full of intrigue and secrets, set against the bright lights of theatre, of that false world created for others entertainment and pleasure. Then some twenty years later against the war and those that are left behind to carry on and nurse, not just the men returned from battles with scars both physical and mental but of the women left behind who perhaps grasping a small amount of pleasure are left with a lasting legacy to be dealt with.

I felt I was looking at what was going on 'behind the scenes' - the theatre, the big house and the hospital. Jennifer Wells creates the atmosphere so well that I felt I was in the home of Ivy, in that kitchen at the nurses home, in Elmridge House with the curtains seemingly permanently closed.

Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors but the secrets for Ivy and Lily are about to come tumbling out.

If you like historical fiction and sagas then this is the book for you.

The Secret by Jennifer Wells has us journeying back in time to 1943 in Missenham, England. Ivy Watts is a nurse at Missenham Cottage Hospital. One Sunday she gets a call to Elmridge House owned by Dr. & Mrs. Cuthbertson and she hurries over on her bicycle. Ivy is fascinated by the beautiful home and the mysterious people who inhabit it. Hugo Cuthbertson loans her an old fashioned woman’s yellow coat and Ivy finds an old photograph in the pocket that features ballet dancers. One of the women in the photo is Mrs. Cuthbertson. Ivy tells her mother about the visit and she becomes upset. Ivy’s mother forbids her from returning to Elmridge House but refuses to tell her why. What secret is her mother hiding? Is it why she never leaves the house?

In February of 1920, Lily is invited to Elmridge House by Dr. Cuthbertson, an investor, to rest after the latest ballet production. A short term visit is extended after Lily finds herself pregnant. Lily misses the hustle and bustle of London and she especially misses dancing. The nurses at Missenham Cottage Hospital could provide a solution but is it the right choice to make. Lily soon finds herself confined to her bedroom at Elmridge House and learns that the house holds secrets. Can Lily find a way to escape?

Ivy can feel that something is not right at Elmridge House. The past is the key to resolving the questions Ivy has, but getting those answers proves difficult.

The Secret is an intriguing historical novel. Ivy has newly completed nursing school and was happy to get a position at Missenham Cottage Hospital where she can visit her mother on Sunday afternoons. The hospital is run by two nurses, an assistant, and one doctor (nurses and doctors are in demand with the war on). It is commonly known in the area that if a woman finds herself in a certain situation, she can visit the cottage where the nurses reside for assistance. They also provide family planning advice which was unexpected in either time period. Bridget Bradshaw is the other nurse at the hospital and Ivy’s housemate. While Ivy helps match babies to couples who cannot have their own children, Bridget handles the other clients. The two stories slowly play out with it alternating between 1920 and 1943. It was interesting to read and see how the two storylines tied together. We get to see how the past affects the present and the lasting effects it can have on relationships. We also see how secrets can change a person’s behavior. I did wonder at the extent of Ivy’s nursing knowledge. She failed to ask the right questions and seemed oblivious to the services Bridget performed (she always had Ivy stay upstairs). I did like Ivy’s relationship with Hugh. Ivy was comfortable with him and I enjoyed the banter between them. One thing I found curious was Ivy was to stay with Hugh while his mother was at church, but Ivy always left before Mrs. Cuthbertson returned. The ending is delightfully unexpected. Readers will be captivated by Jennifer Well’s new historical novel, The Secret.

I thought this book was ok, a bit convoluted and not super clear, but ok. The plot and characters were good, it was just missing something for me. The whole thing didn't quite click.

I really enjoyed this story, it was very well written and had a great flow to it.

The characters were excellent, I loved the characterisation and this author made them genuinely believable which really helped sell the story to me.

I thought that plot was excellent and it was very well executed. It was quite clear the author had done her research on the periods too as she was able to bring them to life for me as I turned the pages on my Kindle. I loved the split time periods.

4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – very highly recommended!!

Ever since I read The Liar back in 2016, I have been waiting for Jennifer Well’s new book every year with eager anticipation. The Murderess was another great addition to her Missensham series last year. Don’t worry, even though these books are set in the same location and time period, the stories are completely independent (although there were mentions of The Murderess in this new book, which was super smart!).

The Secret is the new psychological thriller / historical saga by Jennifer Wells. It is a weird combination, but just like in The Cursed Wife by Pamela Hartshorne, there are some gifted writers that combine both genres beautifully. Jennifer is my favorite. She’s not only a wonderful writer, but she’s super nice and sweet if you reach out to her.

I don’t want to say much about the plot, only the basics. This is the story of Ivy, a young nurse who starts unconvering her mother’s life secrets when she meets Mrs Cuthbertson, a mysterious woman who lives at Elmridge House. But who exactly is Mrs Cuthbertson? And why is her mother so adamant that she never sees her again?

This book, like her previous two, has a somewhat complex structure with two different timelines narrated by two different characters: Ivy (the daughter) and Lily (the mother). And like in The Murderess, the book is filled with twists, so it’s quite an exciting adventure. I admit that I thought I had everything figured out when suddenly my suspicions became true at around 50%. And I thought: well, this cannot be it. Of course it wasn’t! How did I ever doubt Jennifer Well’s twisty talents? By the time I reached the ending, my mind was completely blown and I wanted to recommend this book to everyone.

I feel like some of you don’t give these books a chance because of the cover, but you are missing out on great suspenseful stories that will shock you more than once.

Excellent book! Loved the characters and it was a great storyline. I would highly recommend this book.

A fantastic book! A wonderful stand-alone read - I didn't realise until I finished that it was part of a series.

In the 1920's Lily ended an exhausting season as the prima dancer in a troupe and is invited to Dr. Cuthbertson's large country home to rest and relax. But neither the doctor nor his home are what they first appear. Twenty two years later, in the same area, a young nurse attends a patient at the same house. Are the two events related? And if so, how?

This is a riveting book; lots going on and every event has a question mark - or two surrounding it. Things unfold at their own pace, but this is far from a dull read! With plenty going on, both then and now, there is more than enough detail to keep the reader's attention. Had I realised this was part of a series, I would have read the other books first but none of that takes away from the fact that this is an excellent stand-alone read and is very entertaining indeed. With lots of questions being raised, every one is answered before the final page - that's my kind of read! Definitely an author to add to my ever growing list of 'must read agains'.

My thanks to publisher Aria for my copy via

The author did a brilliant job of capturing the time period in this novel. The characters and plot were also well written. This was a great piece of historical fiction!

Set in two separate time frames 1920 and 1942. It was a fantastic story! I was hooked right away! I loved it!!! It wasn't what I thought it wasn't going to be but thats okay actually that's better! It made it a gripping book,

Lily and Grace were once dancers and friends so what divided them? What is the secret Ivy's mother has kept from her for the last 20 years?

I was drawn to this title as I love books about women in the war. However this more about a friendship that turns sour.
I enjoyed the book nevertheless and the story kept me guessing right until the end.

What a fantastic story! I was hooked from page one and read the entire book in one sitting. The Secret was not what I was expecting at all and the cover gives no hint to the gripping drama that lies beneath its surface. I was pulled into the story and didn't come up for air until the concluding pages. I won't go into any details regarding the plot as I don't want to give away any hints or spoilers, but the writing is dramatic and thrilling to keep your attention every step of the way.

The storyline is set between the time frames of the 1920s and 1940s and bounces back and forth between the eras with such ease, unfolding the story one hint at a time. But what a story to unfold, a story filled with deep cruelty and ignorance that tugged at my heart strings. The characters are engaging taking you on an emotional rollercoaster with their difficult lives that intertwine to devastating effects. Lilly, Ivy, Grace and Hugo are caught up in a dance of destruction at the hands of the elusive Dr Cuthbertson which creates a dramatic storyline that you will leave you breathless.

The Secret is a captivating read to engage and entice you with a chilling story that will stay with you long after you finish the last page. I couldn't recommend it highly enough and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Loved the ending and the way the author set the story with flashbacks from the past to the present time in the book.
Good descrkption of the characters and the conection with each other. I couldnt put the book down.

A densely plotted and wonderfully written historical tale that will keep readers riveted to the page, The Secret is a mesmerizing and enthralling read from fast rising star Jennifer Wells.

After the cruelty, hardship and misery of the First World War, London in the 1920s was a time of glamour, joy, excess, mischief and hedonism. Bright young things in London loved nothing more than forgetting all of their cares and worries and tripping the light fantastic until the early hours of the morning. Yet, underneath the fun and frivolity lies a dangerous underbelly that could strike when one least expects it – something which young dancer Lily knows only too well. Lily has always been troubled and when a recent turn of events leaves her vulnerable, alone and frightened, she is overjoyed when wealthy theatre benefactor Dr Cuthbertson invites her to his remote home, Elmridge House, to escape her troubled past and take some time for herself to figure out what she is going to do next. However, Lily soon realises that rather than the refuge she had originally thought it would be, Elmridge House is a house where the corridors echo and reverberate with lies, secrets and deceptions. Nothing is quite what it seems at Elmridge House and locked away in her isolated guest room, pregnant Lily begins to yearn for her old life in London.

In 1942, Ivy Watts is a young nurse who is called to assist to a patient at Elmridge House, the residence of the reclusive Dr Cuthbertson and his wife. When she sets foot at their beautiful home, Ivy is immediately entranced by the sumptuous surroundings and magnificent opulence she finds herself in, but why is it that when Ivy tells her mother about her latest patient, her mother becomes fearful and forbids her from ever returning to Elmridge House or having anything to do with the Cuthbertsons? Why is her mother so afraid of the wealthy couple? What is the connection between her mother and Ivy’s wealthy patients? And Is Ivy ready for the shocking revelations she is about to uncover?

A fantastic novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, The Secret is one of those books that will force readers to put their lives on hold as they find themselves completely and utterly consumed by this enthralling tale that is hugely enjoyable, wonderfully suspenseful and packed with drama, danger, emotion and intrigue. Jennifer Wells continues to get better with every book she writes and in The Secret, she has penned an outstanding book that dazzles with evocative period atmosphere, spine-tingling menace and jaw dropping twists and turns.

Written straight from the heart and guaranteed to hold readers in thrall from beginning to end, The Secret is a breath-taking read that should not be missed!

Set in two time periods, Lily, is invited to remote Elmridge House, home of the wealthy theatre benefactor Dr Cuthbertson to escape her troubled past.

Pregnant and stuck in an isolated guest room, she longs to to return to the stage and her London life.

But is Elmridge House what she thought it would be?

Missensham, 1942 Ivy Watts, a young nurse, is called out to see Hugo at Elmridge House.
Ivy is entranced by the opulence of the house and its glamorous past.


She tells her mother about Hugo’s mother, Mrs Cuthbertson. Her mother is elderly and spends her time in the sitting room of the small terraced house Ivy grew up in. There, she mends and adjusts party dresses for the wealthy people in society.

Her mother forbids Ivy from going back to the house- why does Lily’s mother live in fear of the mysterious Mrs Cuthbertson?
In both subplots, the mystery is in the secrets of the old house.

I really enjoyed seeing the
rapport between Ivy and Hugo develop and it was great to see that the interactions between them were caring but laid-back and allowed for some sense of humour too.

As a wheelchair user, I identified with Hugo and liked his attitude.

I did not like his parents’ behaviour and thought it was rude, his dad shutting himself away and his mum being so self-centred yet not accepting that Hugo was his own person.

The cottage hospital and the way the phone calls were answered reminded me of Call the Midwife and the large house with someone with disabilities reminded me of The Secret Garden.

Both are books I own and enjoyed.

Jennifer Wells makes me feel a lot of different emotions. On the one hand I was rooting for Hugo and Ivy but was very angry with how Hugo’s parents reacted. The flip side of this was that It gave me more time to see how Hugo and Ivy got on together.

Jennifer Wells has created an excellent novel In fact it was my favourite historical novel to date and was not full of huge descriptions or paragraphs of mostly conversation. It did not make me want to skip parts and I was compelled forward by the fast, yet relaxing pace of the book.

The characterisation and development of the plot was carefully and vividly done and I did not want the book to end.

Thanks to Jennifer Wells and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. Thrilled to be on the blog tour for the title.

Set in two separate time frames 1920 and 1942, we have WWII fully upon the whole world and everyone buckling under its weight.



1920 and Lily finds herself a guest of Dr. Cuthbertson in an isolated manor. How the events of 1920 will again come up in 1942 is a bit uncanny. Lily gets pregnant and has a child. Fast forward Ivy is a nurse working in the local clinic. She has to go up to Dr. Cuthbertson's house once in a while to attend to an invalid son, who is supposedly injured whilst fighting. Ivy's mother never a person in good spirits goes berserk when she hears that Ivy is going up to the manor and has met the Mrs. Cuthbertson though the Doctor is always absent and not to be disturbed.
Ivy does realise at the very onset that things are not quite right at the big house but she becomes fond of the young man and does not want to jeopardize her position in the clinic either. She is also intimidated by Mrs Cuthbertson who is rude and condescending.

The story unravels slowly and typifies the standards of the age, where a lot of stuff going on in homes was all veiled up and a curtain pulled across the whole thing to maintain an aura of respectability as that was what of prime importance.

A very interesting part of the story was the form of family planning advice offered by the clinic - privately to the poorer section of the community who had no one else to turn to. It did show women supporting women, despite the morals of the day. No mean feat this.

I really enjoyed how these two stories braided together. There was one story set in WWI and another set in WWII.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.