Loved the storyline and the characters.

It appeared there were several details that could have been eliminated, left me, the reader lost in some chapters. So many details toward the end were not believable as if the ending was rushed.

Overall however, I would recommend the book. I found myself holding my breath once the PI got involved.

Thanks s much for the chance to read!

I don't usually do books about missing children, and I honestly didn't realize this one was about that when I started it; however I ended up getting into it because I could tell this was going to be more than just a child abduction thriller. It provides a mother's perspective on dealing with loss of a child and the grief that goes with losing trust in everyone around her, including her husband. It felt like there was always something a little off, and boy is it ever! Everyone in this story has secrets - and when you find out what happened you will be stunned. This is the perfect thriller to binge read on a weekend or to take on your next vacation.

Loved this book! I read it in one setting which doesn't happen often for me. I wish I could go into more detail but I read it over a month ago and thought I posted my review already. It was definitely a five star read for me !

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Little Secrets starts out strong. It’s a nightmare that no parent wants to imagine: you let go of your child for just a few seconds in a crowded market…and he’s gone!
Sixteen months later, Marin Machado is still living in the void of that moment when she let go of Sebastian to take a phone call. He was last seen on video being driven away by a man in a Santa suit. Now Marin and her husband , Derek, are living lives parallel to one another. Marin consoles herself in work, a monthly support group, and too much alcohol. And then she gets a phone call from the investigator she hired to investigate her son’s disappearance, but the call isn’t about Sebastian. Her husband has been having an affair, and now Marin has a different outlet for her grief.
Little Secrets is told from alternating POVs, Marin’s and Derek’s mistress Kenzie. The grief Marin feels in the opening chapters is heavy and you can feel the weight of it as you get into the story, but there are times when you don’t really know who you’re rooting for—or who you should be! Each of the characters is so clearly motivated by their own sense of right that it’s easy to empathize with their position. But this is also a psychological thriller that will leave you tense and have your mind spinning. It’s a thrilling, page-turning, quick read.

*I received a copy of Little Secrets from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review*

Marin has a seemly perfect life. But, all of it comes crashing down when her son, Sebastian (Bash for short) is kidnapped while in her care. Over a year later, with no new clues as to who took their son or why, Marin and her husband are struggling to maintain their lives and their marriage. When Marin discovers her husband is having an affair, she is determined not to lose him as well. As things begin to spiral out of control, she unearths more secrets than she imagined.

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier is a terrific book. Every character has secrets. Some are little and others are major and terrible. The story is fast-paced, well-written, and suspenseful. More than once I found myself breathing a sigh of relief as a decision was made or action was taken. The twists to the story appear unexpectedly and powerfully. This book is mesmerizing and it was difficult to put aside, even for a little while. I thoroughly enjoyed Little Secrets and highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Marin's son Sebastian gets abducted at Christmas time by someone in a Santa suit her whole life understandably falls apart. After her son has been missing for over a year and there is still no news of what could have happened to him Marin feels like almost all hope is lost. There is however one hope for her and that would be the PI she hired to find her son. She never told her husband Derek when she first hired her and now that they have been drifting apart she just never thought to mention it to him. Then Marin's life changes as she gets a message that the PI wants to see her and she is glad she never told Derek. You see, Derek has been having an affair with the much younger Kenzie Li, a barista on her way to instafame. Marin is so angry she can't even think straight and she wants revenge on the woman she sees as taking away all that is left of her family.


The novel is told through the third person POV of Marin and Kenzie. This novel really covers some dark topics as Marin continues to deal with her feelings of betrayal by her husband and the emptiness that her missing child has left her with. There are points where I liked and heavily disliked each of the women. It took me awhile to pick this up but I am so glad I was finally able to read this very well written novel.

Pick this up right away and read it! You will not regret it!!!

Absolutely loved this thriller by Jennifer Hillier! Immediately ordered Jar of Hearts so I could tackle that one next.

Marin Machado's son goes missing on a trip to the mall at Christmas time, and months later, Marin and her husband have grown apart and he's having an affair with a pink-haired influencer named McKenzie Li. Marin wants the affair to be over - and she enlists a "fixer" through her best friend (and ex-boyfriend) Sal to get rid of McKenzie once and for all.

One of the reasons I loved this book so much is because of all the (non-complicated) backstory of the characters combined with the best kind of twists. Jennifer had me gasping at every turn, and still in a way that I found made sense given what I had already read. I love when a twist shocks you, but when you go back it makes sense given the information you have.

Jennifer Hillier is a world-class writer! Pick this one up for sure if you love a dark thriller!

4.5 Gripping Stars!!

"Four minutes. That’s all it took to steal a child. A lollipop, a Santa suit, and two hundred forty seconds."

Wow!! What a wild ride! I will admit that my reading has really slowed down during these weird and stressful times, but this book pulled me right out of a book slump. And not to fear, the central premise of the book that a child is missing is tragic, yes, but not the dark, depressing story I thought this would be.

Marin is a successful salon owner whose young child was snatched from her at a busy Seattle marketplace. What follows is a thrilling and original story filled with colorful characters, a fantastic backdrop and twists I never saw coming!

Marin's marriage to the very successful and handsome Derek has suffered as a result of the painful ordeal, and it is no surprise that things start to fall apart very quickly. Marin's loyal, longtime friend is there to support her, even when she makes very foolish choices. But who can blame her? She will stop at nothing to find her missing son. She attends therapy sessions and very emotional support group meetings, but she still refuses to give up searching for her Sebastian.

"Marin is reminded, and not for the first time, that sometimes someone else’s pain is the only thing that makes yours better."

I have heard amazing things about the author's book 'Jar of Hearts' and after reading this book, I cannot wait to read her other books! Marin's story absolutely riveted me. 'Little Secrets' would make a fabulous movie or limited series. If you love domestic thrillers, you must read this book. It is a winner for me!

"Look under every rock. Leave no stone unturned. Follow every lead, no matter where it goes, no matter who’s involved."

Marin Machado is a boss.
A successful business woman, owning upscale hair salons catering to the stars, she is confident and happy.
Her equally successful and handsome husband, Derek, is also a business owner and the couple has a little boy, Sebastian, who is the light of their lives.
Marin has it all.
That is until someone nabs Sebastian from a busy shopping center just prior to the Christmas holiday.
In the blink of an eye, Marin and Derek's world shatters. Devastated by Sebastian's disappearance, they both retreat into themselves to deal with their pain and grief.
When the police investigation goes nowhere, Marin hires a PI to continue the search.
Over a year later, the private investigator uncovers something, but it isn't about her son. It's about her husband.
As further secrets are revealed the lines between love and hate begin to blur. A woman spurned is a serious force to be reckoned with and Marin has nothing to lose.
Her best friend, Sal, and a grief support group she is a part of, are Marin's only real connections anymore. She feels so distant from Derek.
But who can she trust?

I had so much fun reading this book. It was captivating from the very first chapter.
I loved Marin's character. All of her flaws and grief. I found her to be complex, yet relatable.
While I did guess one of the reveals earlier than I expect the reader is supposed to, it didn't diminsh my enjoyment level at all.
I thought going along with Marin on her journey, as she learns the truth of her husband's betrayal and what happened to her son, was so satisfying.
Hillier really impressed me with this one. My favorite Thriller of the year so far, I would say.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I cannot wait to see what Jennifer Hillier dreams up next!

Quick engaging read, kidnapping and betrayal at the outset but the plot continues to twist. Thank you to Jennifer Hillier, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Marin Machado seems to have it all. She's successful, her husband Derek is successful, and together they have the love of their lives - their son Sebastian. The Machados lives are turned completely upside down when Sebastian is abducted in broad daylight while shopping with Marin. Sebastian's disappearance has caused a major rift in Marin and Derek's marriage. The investigation into what happened to Sebastian has gone cold, and there are days when Marin feels as though she'd be better off dead.

Without Derek's knowledge, Marin hired a private investigator after Sebastian was kidnapped. She wanted no stone left unturned. When the PI contacts Marin for a meeting one day, she is expecting the worst news about her son. The PI doesn't have information about Sebastian though. What she tells Marin is that Derek is having an affair. The news of Derek's infidelity changes something inside of Marin. After 20 years of marriage and all they've been through, Marin is not ready to lose her husband. Marin puts a wild plan in motion to save their marriage, but that's nothing compared to what happens next.

This was the first title I've read from Jennifer Hillier and it did not disappoint. I had an idea early on about who was most likely involved in Sebastian's disappearance, but seeing how everything unfolded was a fun ride. I'll definitely check out more from this author (I'm especially looking forward to Jar of Hearts).

Holy Schnikes that book was amazing!!!! Little Secrets is seriously number one on my 2020 must read list!!! Jennifer does a little bit of a slow burn beginning, she is introducing everyone and setting up for that moment. And wow when that moment happened my jar was on the floor and I ignored husband, kids and housework until I finished!!!

This one grabbed me from the beginning and other than moments of swaying a little too far to the story about Marin's husbands girlfriend and getting away from the abduction of her son, kept me intrigued throughout. I flew threw this one!

Loved this one. In the beginning I felt as though there was a lot of blah blah blah, but as I reached the mid point I understood why. At the point where the story turns and gives you just an inch of a gasp, you’re compelled to continue to read; speed read even. It was so good I couldn’t put it down.
Marin does not give up on the hope that her little boy is still a live; even when she is faced with finding out that her husband has betrayed her by having an affair. Her attention is taken away from her son’s kidnapping and is focused on the younger side piece woman her husband has. But, then her world is shattered, again!! Is there anyone that has been truthful to her? Is everyone lying to her?? I had to clutch my invisible pearls as this story unfolds and all the “Little Secrets” are revealed! It seems EVERYONE had a “Little Secret” to tell in this one.

This was an amazing thriller. I’ve been down on thrillers lately because they just don’t seem unique or thrilling at all but this one was well written, set at a good pace, always kept my attention, and had a few moments that completely shocked me, which I think makes for an amazing thriller. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

This is the 3rd book I have read by Jennifer Hillier so far and it was just as great as I expected it to be! This book kept me collection the first page to the last. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review!

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This book was fantastic! It is filled with characters that I disliked so much but there were so many twists and turns that I didn't care. It really kept me guessing and trying to figure out what was going to happen next. ⠀
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I've been in a huge reading slump and I think this one has pulled me out of it. 🙌 I didn't want to put it down last night and I ended up falling asleep with my Kindle in my hand. 😉😂⠀
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You should pick this one up if you are looking for a book that will keep you guessing. ⠀
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TW/CW: suicidal thoughts, abuse, assault ⠀
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A huge thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review. Here is my review:

I tried, I REALLY TRIED to care about these people. Marin is a spoiled, rich girl with "everything" - an equally rich and successful (AND good-looking) husband, a world-famous group of salons with high-dollar clientele, and, oh yeah, the perfect little boy. Then one day, when she is too distracted with everything else, she loses the little boy in a crowded market.

So she falls apart, tries to kill herself and just wallows in feeling sorry for herself. Her husband, her salon manager (who herself has just had a baby), her friends, her clients, ALL try to comfort her. But she is too secure in feeling sorry for herself to let anyone help, except the salon manager who basically abandons her own family to keep Marin's business running.

Then one day she finds out her husband is having an affair. WELL, that is just NOT ACCEPTABLE!! So she does really unrealistic and stupid things to break up the affair, none of which, of course, involve having a talk with the husband, but she does have sex with her old boyfriend, somehow to get even?

The ending is pretty predictable, once you start paying attention to the liberal clues scattered around.

trust me when i say you need this book.

i read it in one day. i could not put it down.


i read and loved Ms Hillier's Jar of Hearts but this far surpasses that.

Little Secrets is a smart thriller, handling several plot points in a thoughtful manner but is still may contain triggers from some readers.

despite my not particularly liking Marin or Kenzie,i still was riveted and cared about them.

the book is filled with more than a few twists, some of which i saw coming...some...LOL

i can't say more without ruining things but again, buy the book!

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hiller is the perfect book for those looking for a great read. The characters are easy to connect with and not easy to forget.

Marin had a great life with her husband and young son. Then one day out shopping that all changes. Marin doesn't want to give up hope that he son is still alive, so she hires a private detective to do some addition digging. What the private detective finds out will change Marin's life but will it be for the better or the worse.

I haven't read a thriller that I loved as much as this one in a long time. It kept me on the edge of my seat through out the whole book.