An emotional journey through her Grandmother's past helps one young woman choose to be happy. Julia Wild gave this reader a few tears and a few sighs as she painted a picture of what life was like during the WWII era.

Well enough written and a pleasant read.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Julia Wild’s The Secret Notebook is a sweeping romantic tale that will tug at readers’ heartstrings and have them reaching for the tissues.

When Izzie Dean receives news that her beloved grandmother Molly has died, she is absolutely devastated. Returning to the Blackpool bungalow where she grew up for a final farewell, Izzie knows that she will miss her formidable Nan so much. Going back home is going to be tough for Izzie. She not only has to bid a last goodbye to her grandmother, but she will also end up coming face to face with her first love Justin Swift who had broken her heart all those years ago. Izzie’s homecoming is going to be tough, but it will also enable her to make an unexpected discovery that might just lead her to the happiness she so desperately seeks…

When Izzie finds Molly’s battered secret diary from the Second World War, she quickly finds herself immersed in a heart-wrenching story of love, loss, heartbreak and hardship. As Izzie begins to get deeper and deeper into her grandmother’s story, she begins to find answers in Molly’s past that could very well help her solve her own dilemmas in the present. As the flame between herself and Justin is ignited once more, will Izzie be able to have another chance at happiness with Justin? Can the two of them lay old ghosts to rest? Or will their past continue to come between them?

Julia Wild’s The Secret Notebook is an unforgettable tale that captures the reader’s attention from the very beginning and will keep them engrossed and riveted to the page until the very last word. Julia Wild writes with great deftness and sensibility and effortlessly juggles two powerful stories that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

Powerfully written, brilliantly told and impossible to put down, Julia Wild’s The Secret Notebook is a mesmerizing tale readers cannot miss.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

A beautiful and heartwarming story of secrets, love and family, a definite must-read for anyone who loves their duel timeline/family drama/historical fiction, The Secret Notebook has something for all readers.

I love a twin timeline novel, and this was no exception. Split between WWII and present day, this novel is the story of Izzie, a young woman who has lost her beloved grandmother and returns to her bungalow in order to pack up her things. On the discovery of her grandmothers notebook, we are regularly transported back to WWII Blackpool where her grandmother is faced with hardship and her own life changing decisions. It was lovely to see the relationship between granddaughter and grandmother grow, even after the latters passing, and to see how that relationship and past decision impact and affect Izzie going forwards. This is lovely historical fiction, and I would happily recommend it!

Sadly this book was not for me. It was well written, but I do not want to give it a poor rating. I always feel that just because I did not like it, doesn't mean others will not :)

Izzie has always been very close to her grandparents and after their deaths discovers a notebook written by her grandmother and is entranced by it. Running alongside Molly’s story is Izzie’s who was broken-hearted when the love of her life let her down. This should have had a higher rating than I’ve given because it was a lovely book and pretty cover. The predictability of it badly let it down. How every character behaved and every situation was so obvious so there weren’t any surprises or mystique at all. A shame as it was written in such a way as to grab the reader’s attention and with great descriptions of Blackpool which doesn’t often feature in novels! Also it would have been nice to discover what became of the twin brother Joe and Dora, Molly’s best friend.

This book was so good and kept me intrigued as to what was going to happen next. This author was so good at making me feel all of the emotions when you should feel when you read a story like this. Happy, sad, scared, mad. I was proud of the main character Molly for doing what she had to do and I was sad for her. I was cheering Izzie on as she found out what had actually happened with Justin and I was biting my nails while reading to find out what would happen. This was truly one of the best books I have read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good romance novel.

"This book was provided to me by NetGalley and One More Chapter. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.”

This book was one of my favorite reads of the spring! It was emotional, loving, and worth every minute of reading. Again the timeline of current and past, come together in a read that will be with me for a long time to come. This book definitely added to my list of recommended books!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

A lovely read, very emotional and heart-warming. I love a bit of historical fiction and this didn't disappoint. A new author for me but one I will look out for.

Izzie goes back to Blackpool to sort out her Nan's house after she passed away. While doing so, she finds an old diary that tells the story of how her Nan fell in love during the war. While she is sorting out the house she meets up with Justin, her old flame who stood her up on her 23rd birthday and broke her heart. Can they be friends again? Is there still a spark left? Two lovely stories intertwined to make you feel doubly good

Such a shame but I just couldn't get into this. Although it was an easy read, it just didn't have enough depth for me and couldn't hold my attention. I see from other reviews that others enjoyed it a lot though.

Thank you Netgalley.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

A well written book and had my interest in the book from the start.

We have a dual time line with Molly the Grandmother in the World War 2 and up to her death in 2017, where her granddaughter Izzie comes to her house to deal with everything after her death. Izzie ends up seeing her first love Justin again there is unfinished business with them will they become friends again. I really liked the characters.

The book had romance and also sadness but was really good,

I would recommend this book and would read more of this author.

A heartwarming tale of secrets , love, loss, and heartbreak, which will pull at your heart. I loved it.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A wartime contemporary fiction that is both heart-warming(love) and heart-wrenching(hardship during the war and heartbreak). A well-written and overall, a very good read.

A dual timeline story of love.....in fact 2 love stories. I am in no way fan of mushy love stories.  But I am a huge fan of stories set in a historical timeframe.

In 2017 Izzie's grandmother Molly dies. They had a super close bond, as Izzie had spent many years living with grandparents. But really, she knew nothing of Molly and Jack's early years together, during WW2.  And the amazing secret they were carrying.

The book title's "secret notebook" is discovered, along with momentos and letters belonging to Molly, when Izzie starts renovating her grandparents house. 

Meanwhile Izzie is finding her way through the mixed emotions of being reunited with first great love.  Alot of water has passed under the bridge of her life since she was stood-up by Justin.  Together they read Molly's story. Will Izzie forgive Justin?

THE SECRET NOTEBOOK brings to life the words of letters, which we miss in these days of texts and instant communication.  What patience people had back in the day.....when you could wait months on end to know if your beloved is alive or dead. 

I loved this story of letters...tangible and all revealing.  I was gifted this advance copy by Julia Wild, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley

What a great read, loved the characters and enjoyed the story unfolding, between the parallel stories. . Would definitely recommend this book.

I was given a copy of The Secret Notebook by Julia Wild by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.. when Izzie returns to Blackpool when her Nan dies she finds her notebook. It tells the story of her nans time during the war. A very well written historical fiction.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I didn't finish this one as I couldn't get into this story. The premise of a hidden WWII notebook is excellent and wanted to move this one.