Another book by Jennifer Hillier that I did not want to put down! Marian and her husband Derek live a lavish lifestyle. In the first chapter of the book, their son Sebastian is kidnapped. The rest of the book leaves you biting your nails as you wonder if their marriage will last or if they will ever find Sebastian. Marian is a like able character that you hurt for as she suffers with depression and blaming herself for her son going missing. I really enjoyed this book because it kept shifting and kept me wanting to read more, even when I should have been sleeping!

I have only read one Jennifer Hillier book which was Jar of Hearts and I really ended up enjoying that one! So the moment I saw her new book on Netgalley I jumped at the opportunity to read it. I am sad that I didn't end up picking this one up closer to release date. I was planning to but then with everything that happened I kinda pushed reading aside. Now I have finally read it and I can say I really enjoyed it.

Now whenever it comes to reviews on thrillers. I never want to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything. I always talk about how I feel summaries can end up giving too much of the story away. When it comes to thrillers/mysteries I need that element of surprise. The book deals with two stories that intertwine. The one story is the wife, Marin dealing with her child that went missing. The other story is Marin dealing with finding out her husband is cheating on her. It seemed like a lot at first but I enjoyed seeing how they connected.

Overall I found this book highly enjoyable. I did see praise for this book saying you don't read this book; you inhale it. I 100% agree with that. I read this is in two days, most of the book was devoured in a day. If it wasn't so late I probably would have ended up staying up late to finish it. I do have to say I did figure out things pretty early on. There ended up being more to things so I was happy to see it wasn't so predictable. I see nothing but great reviews for this book. I highly recommend this one.

*Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

little secrets by jennifer hillier ⭐️⭐️⭐️
thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for an advanced copy to review and to my library for providing me with a print copy because of my aversion to kindle 🙃.

little secrets was a really quick read that pulled me in right from the beginning. at a mall right before christmas, a four year old little boy is kidnapped right under the mother’s nose and is still missing when the book fast forwards to over a year later.

there are a tangle of storylines in this book that made it extremely readable. monday and tuesday, i read over 100 pages each night. i just finished a few minutes ago and there’s a lot to unpack with this novel, but i want to talk about something specific.

the villain in this book didn’t surprise or shock me. it’s a twist that i saw coming a mile away that i’m positive shocked many others. why didn’t it shock me? because my own story has a very similar storyline.

this book’s made me realize all the work i still need to do with my own to be able to write it well. i need to work on some outlines and figure out exactly how everything is going to go down because, the truth is, i’m just not sure yet how it will.

the book was fascinating as a reader and a writer, but there were a few things i didn’t like. while the writing was great, i didn’t love all the sex scenes. when there’s an affair going on (which is given away in the blurb), you don’t REALLY need to show those things, but i understand why she showed at least one. i am just not a fan of the sex. also, there was a lot of bad language i didn’t enjoy. also understandable. they’re just small, personal things i didn’t like. the book was very well written and plotted and i really enjoyed the final chapter.

there were several trigger warnings, but there was a lot of suicidal ideation and talk in this book that people need to know about. i’m very glad jennifer hillier wrote about it in her author’s note.

i recommend everyone read this book if you can deal with the trigger warnings and like a twisty thriller!

tw: suicide, kidnapping, affair, death, graphic sex,

Wow.... this book certain deserves to be in the genre of thrillers. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgally for an honest review.

This novel had some crazy twists and turns as one could imagine and this author is GOOD at unfolding a crazy mystery! In the same regards, when I had picked up some hints then the ending was quite predictable to a point. Regardless, this was still a really good novel!

Although the main story line is presented as the missing child, that is actually just the beginning catalyst for a whole mess of worms and how one deals with all these epic life changes! This is a really good novel and really enjoyed it as we are following Marin through her journey of one of the worst things that could happen to her in her life with her child and stumbling into something that feels even worse for the situation with her husband being with another, much younger woman. As Marin looks more into this situation and tries to get answers, I really like that we also get to see things from the mistresses point of view.

This was such a good and intense novel and I really enjoyed it! I cannot wait to see what Jennifer Hillier has to offer as time goes on!

Marin and Derek seem to have the perfect life until they lose their son, Sebastion. It is so heartbreaking, he was just holding his mother's hand and Marin sends a text and Sebastion is gone. Gone with no new leads Marin hires a P.I. only for the investgator to discover the Derek is having an affair.

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was such a page turner and I did not see the twist coming! super fun and dark! will being reading more Jennifer Hillier and will recommend this book to friends

Minotaur Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Little Secrets. I voluntarily chose to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Marin's perfect life is destroyed the minute she lets go of her son's hand in a crowded market. When the police and the FBI stop searching for Sebastian, Marin hires a private investigator. After the search turns up something unexpected, how will Marin respond?

Marin and her husband Derek have been dealt a terrible blow, for which readers will be able to sympathize and perhaps relate. Overall, the story was not successful for me, as I guessed many parts of it early on in the book. The small surprise at the ending was not enough to elevate the book from the middle of the road. Simply put, the side plots were so involving that they overwhelmed the story as a whole. The author did not really go into the investigative process, but it would be unrealistic to think that the FBI and police did not look into all aspects of Marin's and Derek's personal lives. Little Secrets was mildly entertaining, as it kept my interest at the beginning, but I would be hesitant to recommend it to other readers.

Have your tissues and drink by your side, because once you start reading "Little Secrets," you won't be able to take a break or look away. Jennifer's Hillier's novel about a missing child, a desperate mom and all those around them is beyond spell-binding.
Nothing is as it seems after Marin Machado’s 4-year-old son Sebastian is kidnapped. A year later, she's all alone after discovering her husband Derek is having an affair with a pink-haired woman named Kenzi.. The only support Marin has comes from an old friend named Sal and a determined detective named Vanessa Castro.
Make no assumptions as you begin reading this psychological thriller. Is Sebastian dead? Did Marin and Derek try hard enough to ensure his return? Who is the victim, and who is the villain? Nothing is as it seems.
Nothing in "Little Secrets" is what seems.

The kidnapping of a child is story not for the faint of heart. The characters all have flaws but the levels people will go to do what they think is right in a situation is told in such a 'real' way. You are right there making the decision with them. Jennifer Hillier is quickly becoming a favorite and I look forward to more from her.

I absolutely love Jennifer Hillier, and this book was no different for me. The plot was amazing, as always, with plenty of twists. The only thing is, after you've read all of her previous books you get used to her writing style, which is always making the person you least expect to be the villain, the villain. So I knew after about 2 chapters in how it was going to pan out (sort of). Overall, a good read.

I couldn't put this book down! It makes you wonder if you could go to as dark of place as she did. I loved the twist at the end as well. I had sort of wondered that but then was like no surely not.

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier is a crazy novel! I love suspense and psychological thrillers. This one is amazing. It’s heart wrenching, full of flawed characters. There’s great tragedy and grappling with the unthinkable. Readers that enjoy this genre will not be disappointed! I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Note: content warning at the end of review.

Little Secrets completely took me by surprise; my first Jennifer Hillier book and definitely not my last. When I found out that Kirsten Potter narrates the audiobook, I had to listen to it. And as expected, she does an impeccable job narrating Little Secrets.

Marin’s life is turned upside down when her four year old son Sebastian is kidnapped right under her nose. The first chapter when Sebastian is taken is heartpoundingly scary. The story continues 16 months later: Sebastian is still missing and Marin’s life hasn’t been the same. The trail of her missing son has gone cold, but Marin is still paying a PI to look into his kidnapping. And that’s how Marin finds out that her husband has been having an affair with a younger woman for the past 6 months.

The book is written in third POV, focusing on Marin and Kenzie (the mistress) as central characters. The strongest aspect of this book is the superb characterization of the main and supporting characters. I wouldn’t say these characters are likable, but they’re so well-written that I couldn’t help but be 100% invested in their messy story. The plot is also very well-written and I was surprised by how far the author took the story. The plot complicates the already messy and toxic relationships between the characters and I was 100% here for the drama and the suspense of it all.

It is a rare thriller that actually makes me emotionally invested in its characters. Again, I don’t love these characters, but I really felt for Marin. The lives of these characters were so intertwined with one another that they accumulated into a tangled ball of threads. The relationships were messy and complicated, but it’s the messiness and complexity of it all that made the plot that much more interesting. This book and its characters will definitely stay with me for a long time.

P.S. Jennifer Hillier is a fellow Torontonian!! So cool!!

Continue reading for CW.

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CW: suicide attempt, self harm, child abduction, drug use, domestic violence

An absolutely brilliant page turner. Jennifer Hiller is a master in the psychological thriller game. Easy to follow, great characters. Highly recommend

Tragedy strikes early in this novel. When her son goes missing a mother falls apart. Marin is hanging on by a thread. After the police loose interest, she decides to hire a PI. When he discovers Marin's husband is having an affair, she is renewed with purpose. She will not lose the only thing she has left. What follows is a twisty tale. A great read!!

I love a book that surprises me and has me gasping! When I hit they spot in this book I was gobsmacked and loved it so much. Marin and Derek are struggling since their son was taken. Not knowing must be the worst. The pain was so detailed and raw. Great book!

Overall I did enjoy this book. I felt like there were several different storylines which was a bit much and would have rather had less more developed storylines. However, the premise was great and I did enjoy the ending. Overall 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars for me.

Well...I was sure behind with this author. And man she blew me away! Now I must go back and real all the books.

Little Secrets is about a couple whose child has been kidnapped. Jennifer Hillier has written the character of Marin with all of the emotions that plague her during her horrifying experience. The characters in this novel are well thought out and add to the plot. All of the female characters are strong and for the most part compassionate.

4.5⭐ - this was an excellent read! It was well paced and interesting from beginning to end. The plot developments were believable, and didn't feel thrown in just for shock value.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.