Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a lovely read this was, great storyline and great characters thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's 2017 and Izzie, a widow, finds herself sorting through her nan Molly's things. It's a sad chore but then she finds a notebook that tells Molly's story. She's hidden it away for years but why? That's what Izzie will discover, even as she learns things about herself. I must say that the 1943 story was more compelling than the contemporary one but this is still a good emotional read.

The story is split between the present day and WW2 by means of a diary. Izzie returns to her grandmother's bungalow in Blackpool after her death and meets up with her former boyfriend, Jason. Whilst clearing out the bungalow Izzie comes across a diary written by her grandmother during WW2 detailing her life at that time and the people who were billeted in her step - mother's B&B that she lived and worked in.
The two stories blended well together, the grandmother's experiences during the war and the friends that she made, Izzie's former relationship with Jason that caused her heartbreak and subsequent marriage to someone else. There were misunderstandings at both times, but also hopes and dreams. A family saga, rather than pure romance, so not a light read, but one that is certainly worth reading.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

I loved this book from beginning to end! I couldn't put it down. The Notebook that was found and read by Izzie after her nans death was honest, fun and heartbreaking all wrapped together in an unimaginable time in the past due to war. It was written with pure love for family and hope for a happy ending. I cried and laughed through this wonderful story.

The Secret Notebook by Julia Wild is a dual timeline story that will warm your heart as you think about relatives who lived during WWII and wonder about their stories that they never told.

I particularly enjoyed the WWII timeline in the novel. It instantly drew me in and kept me wanting to know what happened next as the story broke away to the future and then back again. I kept thinking about my grandparents, who lived during that time and were young married couples when both of my grandfathers were drafted and deployed, and what they must have gone through but never talked about. War stories are almost always a good reminder about what is essential in life and not to take things or people for granted.

I also enjoyed the diary format of the 1940’s timeline. I gained so much insight into Molly’s heart and mind in just a few entries which was enough to relate to her and take her story into my heart. She is my favorite character in the novel as I enjoyed her strength of character and her willingness to grab on to all that is good in life and never let go.

Unfortunately, the contemporary story with Izzie and Justin did not have the same kind of pull for me as the historical one. However, I did enjoy how the two stories intertwined and brought Molly to life in ways just a single timeline could never have done. Izzie is Molly’s granddaughter, and she lived with her grandparents during her teen years, so her reflections about her grandmother and their time together added dimension to the story in ways Izzie and Justin’s romance could not.

If you are looking for an engaging and beautifully written tale about love and loss and, of course, secrets, The Secret Notebook has it and more!

A lovely story over two time-lines with great characters that bring the book alive,this is my first book by this author will be looking for others.5*

I had a feeling this would be an emotional read just from the blurb, and boy I wasn’t wrong. I adored this story and was drawn into Molly and Izzie’s lives completely.
The dual timeline aspect using the notebook from Molly and then Izzie’s discovery of this life was beautifully written and had me in tears many times.
I loved the idea of letter writing to share the love between two people - in the quick reactions of the digital world it feels like we’re missing the love and care that goes into the written word.
Such a beautiful story and one that I’ll treasure.

This book was a perfect beach read. It goes back and forth between WWII England and current day telling the stories of a grandmother and granddaughter. The grandmother's tale is told via a diary the granddaughter discovers when cleaning out the grandmother's house after her death. I actually preferred the grandmother's journal entries the most but as the story progressed the granddaughter's story really captured me as well. There's a wonderful couple of twists that keep you intrigued. Definitely add this to your summer reads list!

I didn’t want to put this one down but like Izzie I would go complete a task before coming back to read a bit more of the secret notebook.
A dual timeline set during WWII and present day. I tend to favour one side of a dual time more so than the other but with this story I found myself excited to find out what was coming next on each side of the story.
I did think that Molly’s story could have been lengthened a bit but it also could be that I just didn’t want her story to end and was left wanting to see more of her life.

Present day - Molly Blackshaw, Izzie’s nan more like mother, dies and Izzie returns to Blackpool,where she grew up with her grandparents, to say goodbye and settle her Nan’s estate. Upon return she bumps into Justin her teenage love that leaves her with all kinds of emotions over how things ended between them, While clearing out her Nan’s attic, Izzie discovers a Notebook her Nan had kept during the War. Thoughts of life during the war as well as letters written to loved ones paints a picture of what life was like for Molly in those times. Sharing the notebook with Justin brings back many of the feelings that had so abruptly ended many years ago and leaves them both wondering why things ended the way they did.

Thank you to Net Galley and One More Chapter for the advanced copy.

Full review on the blog tour. Enjoyed this. Made me appreciate how much things have changed in the UK since the 1940’s.

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

In this day and age of texts and emails where everything is instant, the art of writing letters or a diary seems lost to history. But to be able to re-read them, to touch them and to breathe in their essence. To know that your loved one had touched them and written those words with their own hand, pouring out their heart and their soul...it's so much better than a text. Letters are so personal that at any time you can take them out, re-read them and step back in time to relive those memories. The same could be said for a diary one may have once kept with each word etched in time on every page that had meant something to you at that moment in time. And to be swept away by the emotion in every word. It's very essence is so powerful that to be able to capture it and remember it is something special indeed.

THE SECRET NOTEBOOK brings to life the very essence of words and the memories it can stir up and the stories it tells. It reminds us of another time when the lost art of letter writing brought such happiness.

West Hampstead, London, 2017: After the death of her husband the year before, Izzie Dean is left languishing in the house they shared and the fulfulling job which first brought them together. But one day she receives a call from an old flame, Justin, asking her to return home to Blackpool as her 95 year old Nan, Molly, has pneumonia and has been taken to hospital. Izzie packs her bags, takes leave from work and hurries north to Blackpool. She arrives at the hospital in time for her nan to utter a few garbled final words of "...attic...book..." to which Izzie tearfully tells her that she'll sort it. Her nan then smiles and takes her last breath.

Distraught by her death, Izzie begins the task of sorting through her nan's possessions and redecorating the sprawling seafront house in which she had spent a happy childhood. Estranged from her mother who now lives in South Africa with her stepfather, Izzie had moved in with her nan and grandpop during her teenage years. The house was a mismatch of patterns and colours which her nan had loved after the drabness and lack of colour during the war. Izzie snapped some photos of her nan's haphazard decorating before stripping the wallpaper and repainting each room afresh, with Justin on hand to help with the heavy lifting.

Whilst cleaning out the loft room which had once been her bedroom, Izzie revisits many memories of the time she had there. Her grandpop's painting took pride of place on her wall where it still hangs today reminding her of a time she tried to emulate him and he hung her effort in the kitchen as a trade. The memory brings a smile to her face as she carefully lifts the painting from its hook...and is surprised to find a small nook carved out in the wall behind it. She opens the tiny door and inside is a parcel wrapped carefully in newspaper in which she discovers to be a beautiful green embroidered notebook bulging with pages and letters lost to time. It's her nan's diary dated from 1943 holding the secrets she shared with no one...until now. Remembering her nan's final words, Izzie wonders if the notebook had been left there for her to find...in her old room.

After reading the first entry, Izzie shares the find with Justin and together they are immersed within the story her grandmother tells through the poignant heartfelt words poured out on page after page. The love, the heartbreak, the struggles, the secrets and the effects of war. The sharing of her nan's story this brings cause for Izzie to reflect upon her own life and heartaches. And though reluctant to bare her heart and soul again, what she discovers surprises her.

Blackpool 1943: Twenty-one year old Molly lives in the boarding house her stepmother Enid owns and runs when twins Joe and Jack Blackshaw, resplendent in their blue RAF uniforms, are billeted there for six weeks. From the moment she sets eyes on Joe, Molly is swept away by his dancing eyes and charming smile. After her daily chores are complete, she and Joe spend most evenings walking along the promenade sometimes with her best friend Dora and his brother Jack and sometimes alone whilst on Saturdays they often go dancing. With his arms around her Molly sees no one else but Joe and when he asks her to be his girl and her heart leaps with joy. With Joe by her side, Molly feels herself falling completely and utterly in love with him. No one can spoil her good mood...not even Enid when she snipes at behaving herself and that if she gets herself in the family way she'll be out on her ear. But Molly knows that will never happen to her.

Until one night in the shelter on the prom, Joe expresses his desire to take things further. Molly hesitates. No, she mustn't. But something has shifted between them and over the following nights, Joe busies himself studying his his course to become a flight engineer. Meanwhile Molly remains busy at the boarding house, often playing cards with Jack and the other billets in the evenings.

When the time approaches for them to leave, Joe takes Molly out for one final walk on the prom and in the shadows of their shelter she capitulates and bathes in the afterglow of love in what will be his absence. She waves him goodbye and utters that she loves him to which he just smiles and bids her a heartfelt farewell. Molly knows their love will see them through their separation till the end of the war as she begins planning their future in her head. She writes to Joe regularly but doesn't lose heart when she receives no reply. Mail is sporadic during wartime often taking weeks or even months to get through. Meanwhile she continues working alongside Enid at the boarding house and enjoying a Saturday dance with Dora.

Until one day, something happens to bring her world crashing down. And she receives a letter she never expected...

Molly's story is brought to life through her heartfelt words carefully penned in THE SECRET NOTEBOOK through diary form, cleverly entwined with Izzie's present day narrative. The dual timeline is completely absorbing and compelling, particularly Molly's tale, that is both emotional and poignant throughout.

While it did take a while to gain momentum in the beginning with Izzie's story, it was Molly's that had me completely immersed both in story and time. Once I had started I didn't want to put it down and longed to see how it would all end. And then just when we thought we knew it all...there is a final sting in the tail to bring one life unravelling. Although I admit to suspecting it before its discovery.

Engaging and well-written, THE SECRET NOTEBOOK is a beautiful and sweeping tale of a contemporary wartime romance about love, loss and secrets. I am so glad I picked up this book as it is one that I will remember for some time to come.

I would like to thank #JuliaWild, #Netgalley, #RachelsRandomResources and #OneMoreChapter for an ARC of #TheSecretNotebook in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of Izzie (modern day) and Molly (WWII and Izzie's grandmother). The book is told in two timelines. Molly's story is told through her diary which Izzie finds after Molly peacefully passes away.

The story is sweet but not syrupy sweet. While it does lack some depth it was entertaining and I did want to see it through to the end.

Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this advanced readers copy. This book is scheduled to release July 8, 2021.

Izzie Dean has recently lost her husband and now her dear gran Molly Blackshaw has passed away. Izzie moves to Blackpool from London to sort through her grans house and fix it up prior to selling it. The house brings with it many fond memories including that of a young girl in love with the boy next door, Justin, who’s parents still live there. Izzie and Justin meet up and become friends again after many years apart.
While undertaking renovations Izzie finds a ‘notebook’ that Molly had hidden. The notebook contains letters, photos and a diary written by Molly during her young life during WWII.
I loved the dual time line of Izzie’s life interspersed with readings from Molly’s notebook. There are family secrets uncovered, betrayal, love and life long friendships.
I enjoyed the story but at times found myself skipping pages to get back to the Molly storyline which was very engaging.
A pleasant weekend read.
Thanks for the ARC

I received a free e-ARC through Netgalley.

I really enjoyed this dual timeline story of Molly and her granddaughter as they come of age and find out that life doesn't always go as planned. I did feel like the story cut off a little quick at the end. I would've liked to know more about what happened to Joe post-war as well.

This is the story of Izzie who lost her husband two years ago and now loses her grandmother. While she is clearing out the grandmother's house, she finds a notebook with the story of how her grandparents met. Meanwhile, Izzie is trying to reconcile the feelings she has for an old flame.

The Secret Notebook is a duel timeline story set during World War II and present-day 2017. It tells the story of Izzie Dean uncovering her deceased grandmother Molly Blackshaw's young life through a notebook which she found whilst clearing out Molly's bungalow.

This secret notebook contains letters that Molly has written or received, plus her thoughts and some sketches, things she values and which help her to remember the exact detail of what and how she was feeling at the time. There are similarities between Molly's wartime romance with Jack Blackstock and Izzie's relationship with Justin Swift, a man she has known since childhood, in that for different reasons, they have spent time apart.

It took a while to get into Izzie's present-day story, but I was immediately hooked by Molly and the WWII side, which shone a light on life in Blackpool. I thought The Secret Notebook was engaging and well written. Molly and Izzie are likeable characters and I desperately wanted them both to find happiness.

"The Secret Notebook" by Julia Wild is a sweet story told through two timelines. While remodeling her grandmother's home she inherited. Izzie happens upon a notebook containing the romantic story of how her grandparents met during World War II. Reeling from the recent death of her own husband and confronted with a past love, Izzy learns a lot about life and love while reading her grandmother's words.

Though the premise of this book is a good one, the execution left something to be desired, at least to me. I found much of it to be predictable. I had a hard time staying interested in the story because I could always predict what was going to happen next. I also could have done without the one...ahem...very adult scene. It's a quick read and I think many other readers will enjoy this book, but it just wasn't for me.

This book took hold of my heart and emotions and would not let go until I got to the last page!
Told in dual timelines- it goes between Molly's life during World War II and her granddaughter Izzie, in present days.
Izzie is called to say Goodbye to Molly.
Molly on her deathbed mumbles to Izzie about a hidden notebook and Izzie promises her beloved Grandmother that she will find it.
The secrets found in this diary/notebook are the journey we will take with Molly.
This novel is well done and truly intense at times! I adored Molly! She has guts, determination, courage and an amazing heart!
There are lessons for Izzie to gain as she explores Molly's life and also attempts to put her own life back on track!
A terrific story for all to enjoy!

The Secret Notebook is a duel timeline historical romance story between the present and WWII era. Izzie has inherited her grandmother Molly's cottage. While remodeling the cottage, Izzie finds a notebook her grandmother used as a diary when she was young. This is a good book but for me it fell a little flat and failed to hold my interest for very long at a time. Thanks to the author Julia Wild, publisher Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.

Who is a lover of written letters? To be able to reread them, know that your loved one touched them, see their handwriting, it is so much better than an email or text. They are so personal; they are so powerful. To be able to hold them in your hand decades later and take a step back in time. To be whisked away by the emotion that you once felt for the person writing you that letter. Or to discover a bundle of written letters to someone you are close to. It makes you understand that person so much better, on a completely different level. The Secret Notebook made me miss the art of letter writing and the happiness a letter can bring.

Izzie's beloved Nan passes away, and she is left her Blackpool home. With her heart aching, she begins to clean out her childhood home and stumbles upon her Nan's diary from the 1940s. As she dives into her Nan's past, Izzie's first love materializes back into her life. Stirring up old emotions, letting Izzie know that the spark for Justin is still there. Izzie is sent on a path of discovery. Not only into her Nan's past, but into her own. Can she let the past go and allow Justin back into her life? Her Nan's notebook lets Izzie see her in a different light. Showing her just how hard life truly was in the 1940s. How strong and determined Nan had to be in order to make a life for herself and her son.

The Secret Notebook takes you on a journey of self-discovery. For not only Izzie, but for her Nan as well. You can watch these two characters grow, forgive, and at last finally love. I will be honest this book did not pique my interest. It did make me ache for a written letter, the simple beauty in receiving a note from someone you love is just fantastic. Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for sending me this ARC.