This book will challenge your way of thinking on the topic of 'doing what is best' in a difficult situation. Do we make decisions based on what is actually the right thing to do, or are we protecting our own reputation rather than actually helping the person in conflict? I've had to ask myself these questions in my own life, due to some decisions my children have made.

The story is well written, and even though I don't normally enjoy books that jump timelines and narrator perspectives, this was well done. We can see how an initial secret has affected each woman in different ways, and how hiding the truth in other areas is both easier and more difficult. Living out truth is not easy when there are unwanted consequences for our choices.

Other people's family dynamics can sometimes be hard to wade through without feeling like you're reading a soap opera script. At times I admit that I found myself saying 'Just say it!! Just be honest!!'. But this is real life. It's easier to look at other people and know what they should do, and struggle with seeing the same in our own lives. We are frail creatures, and many times so afraid of rejection that we keep things close to the vest that we should bring into the light.

Amanda Cox did a wonderful job of weaving a story that is realistic, and dramatic, and relatable. I would read more of her books, and recommend this book, too.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting story that went back and forth between present day and the past of 1965. It goes between family dynamics, secrets of the past, and tragedies of the present. Sarah returns to her childhood home but finds that things are not as expected. The family is planning to close the grocery story that they has been in their family for decades. Sarah cannot figure out the reason for the closing or why they don't want her to revive the family business. A great story of forgiveness and family.

I received a copy to read, the review is mine.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is a story about the secrets we keep and how that shapes who we are and how those secrets can impact families for generations. It is told in alternating viewpoints for the first half to 3/4 of the book until it catches up to the present day. I normally don’t like the alternating viewpoints, but the author made it work for this story. The story is told by Glory Ann (grandmother), Rosemary (mother), and Sarah (daughter). At some points, the story alternated between Glory Ann and Rosemary so you saw the same storyline told from the different viewpoints.

There were some inconsistencies in the book that confused me, but overall, I did enjoy reading this.

I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

This is a beautifully written book that is very emotional. I did not want to put this book down. This tells the story of a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter. This tells the story of these women and the store they run both in the present and the past. I fell into these women’s stories. You will laugh and cry. I always love this authors books and this is one of my favorites. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox is a dual timeline story. It jumps from 1965 to present day and as the 1965 storyline progresses the two stories intertwine into one. I found this very interesting to read and a great way to deeper know your characters as you're reading about their older and younger selves.

In 1965 Glory Ann confesses to her parents that she is pregnant with her dead fiancés baby. He died in Vietnam and her parents arrange a marriage of convenience to save her reputation. Clarence is a nice enough guy, but Glory Ann is determined to never love again. Time though, has a way of changing things. Clarence is so good with Rosemary and his patience and love for Glory Ann, in time, wins her over. Soon they have a baby of their own. When a tragedy strikes the family, Rosemary spends years blaming herself and trying to make up for her wrongs.

In present day, Sarah returns home to help her mother, Rosemary and grandmother Glory Ann, run the Old Depot Grocery store that her grandmother owns. Sarah has just suffered the loss of her husband, but more than that she is dealing with a lot of guilt, and could it be that the nausea and lack of appetite could be caused by something else? She soon discovers that her mother has been keeping a secret and is determined to uncover what it is. The three woman are going to have to come together and let love heal their wounds. The secrets that have been kept are destroying all of them.

I really can't recommend this book enough. I couldn't get enough of it and lost several hours of sleep trying to find out what happens next. There is a big surprise in this book that I must not spoil, but oh is it a good one! I was not expecting that twist!

Thank you to Revell and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. The review is my own opinion.

A good friend recently told me that The Edge of Belonging is one of the best books she has ever read. I would have to agree and that is why I was eager to read the most recent novel by Amanda Cox, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery. Although its title hints at possible mysteries, the secrets in this book are not of the spooky kind but personal ones that affect the lives of the keepers and their families.

As I read this book I was quickly pulled into the lives of three generations of women. Their stories are told through a dual time line with the earlier story doled out bit by bit through the present day narrative. Such secrets these women had! Sometimes their choices hadn’t been the best and some choices had even been forced upon them. Secrets were kept with the intention of protecting those they loved and other secrets had been buried for other reasons. But as most of us know, secrets have a way of coming to light and often the results are not what we expect.

I loved the fact that the book was set in a small town in my general area. I did not particularly recognize any details about the town but most descriptions were general and could have applied to any small town in west Tennessee. I have personally been in several family owned local groceries in my childhood and happily spent much of my small allowances in them. It is a shame that most of these stores have been replaced by large corporate groceries.

The plot held my attention throughout and I truly wanted to know how things turned out for these women. It was delightful to discover unexpected surprises along the way and I was quite pleased at how the story ended. This author has such a way with words and a talent for telling a great story interwoven with faith and truth. I highly recommend both of her books.

I don't think I've read anything by Amanda Cox until now, but The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery has me wanting to read everything she's ever written! She is an incredibly talented author and her characters practically leap to life on every page.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is a dual-timeline novel, In the present day, Sarah Ashby has returned to her childhood home after tragically losing her husband a few weeks before. She's always loved working in her family's grocery store, Old Depot Grocery, and longs to find solace in the familiar building, but things don't go according to her plan. Instead of peace and comfort, she finds a failing store, and a even-more-tense-than-usual relationship between the two women she loves the most: her mother, Rosemary, and grandmother, Glory Nan. In the past, beginning in 1965, nineteen-year-old Glory Ann has just convinced a shocking secret to her parents and finds herself in a marriage of convenience to a man she barely knows, while mourning the loss of the boy she loves. Love, she decides, isn't worth the pain, but she soon learns that sometimes love gets a second chance.

This book gave me all the feels. Sarah, Glory Ann, and Rosemary have all survived at least one devastating event that changed the course of their lives forever. I found myself completely engrossed in their stories from the very first page, and ended up finishing it in an afternoon. I just couldn't put it down! I loved seeing some long-kept secrets finally come to light in the end, and found myself desperately wishing they'd all worked on learning to communicate sooner (it would have saved a lot of heartache), but then we wouldn't have gotten to go along for such an incredible journey, would we? Also, I know Clay wasn't really a main character, at least not as much as Sarah or her family, but I absolutely loved his character. Despite his own struggles, he was there to offer support and friendship, as well as Biblical truth, when Sarah needed it, and he was never judgemental or pushy.

If you enjoy dual-timeline novels, you need to read this one! Or if you just enjoy a good book. Just read it. You'll be glad you did.

*I received a complimentary copy of The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

The story begins in 1965 with Rosemary learning her fiancé has been killed in Vietnam. She can’t believe it, especially with a little one on the way. Her father has the answer to that situation. He is a pastor in this small town and is thinking about everyone’s reputation. Rosemary doesn’t care for herself, but this little one growing inside her deserved the best. So, she goes along with her father’s plan.

In current time, Sarah Ashby loses her husband to a tragic accident. She decides to move back to her childhood hometown, to help her mother Rosemary and Grandmother Glory Ann at the Old Depot Grocery Store. She had many good memories there. Unknowingly, Sarah starts to pull on family threads by asking lots of questions. Would she unravel the whole mess and bring about unwanted pain? It’s possible. Sara is a strong-willed young lady (like her mother and Grandmother) and was determined to get to the bottom of a letter she stumbles upon

Family dynamics are hard in both timelines as everyone tries to keep secrets and struggles with the hardships they face and the choices they make. The mother/daughter and family relationships are tested. This author does a good job of getting to the heart of the matter as these well-developed characters get to the end of themselves and are faced with the truth. The author shows that the truth will set you free, she also shows how secrets impact every area of your life, your families lives and everyone you meet. The importance of living out the truth in all aspects of your life, maybe hard, but so worth the peace you get on the other side. I liked seeing these characters grow through the healing process as they face the secrets they thought were buried forever. I liked what a character said, “Living is about seeing past the challenges and not letting fear or false guilt be the decider for your life.”

I really like this author’s debut novel, The Edge of Belonging, so I was excited to read The Secret Keepers of Old Depot. It’s another story that instantly grabbed my heart and didn’t let it go. It’s a novel filled with love, hardships, difficult choices, and oh, so many secrets. This is an emotional, powerful, and touching novel you won’t soon forget. It would work well for your next book club pick. There is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

This is the second book I've read by Amanda Cox and it won't be the last, at least as long as she keeps writing books.

This is the story of the Old Depot Grocery store in Tennessee, well really it's the story of the three generations of ladies who worked at the Old Depot Grocery over the years. From Glory Ann who arrived at the store as a broken-hearted young bride to Rosemary who allowed guilt to keep her there through the years to Sarah who is trying to find what she wants in life and is sure it is at this grocery store, Amanda weaves a story of secrets, loss, reconciliation and hope all together into a highly readable story.

"I think that's how God works in our lives a lot of times. He doesn't give us the whole picture. He gives us that one stop. We just have to have the courage to take it and trust that when we do, it will become clear where to put our next foot. " So often I want to know what the whole story will be and how it will all turn out and I refuse to take that step of faith.

"In all my wanderlust ways, I've figured out that happiness doesn't come from the 'big break' or 'buying the big house' or the 'big whatever'. It comes from the everyday choice to embrace the beauty in the little things." I love this. Happiness is a choice and one that needs to be made daily. And along with that, Amanda also writes about finding the full life only once you accept the life you have, even if it isn't the fairy tale you were dreaming of. Let God carry those burdens and then, and only then, can you move into the full and abundant life that is right in front of you.

I just really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good fiction read with some good thoughts to ponder along the way. Yes, there's a bit of romance, kind of, but it doesn't figure prominently in the book even though it is obviously there and yet a bit unexpected too. I much prefer books like that anymore and so this book definitely fits my style of reading.

I received this book from Revell and NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When I read the preview for THE SECRET KEEPERS OF OLD DEPOT GROCERY, I knew it was going to be an emotional story and I knew it was going to make me cry. I had no idea I would be sobbing and be an emotional wreck after finishing it. All of Amanda’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. The message of hope amid sorrow and tragedy flows through the book. Three generation of women and they can’t seem to communicate. I’m sure we have all experienced this in some form.

Amanda’s latest book, THE SECRET KEEPERS OF OLD DEPOT GROCERY is the story of Sarah and the life changing decision she makes, much to the dismay of her mother. Her husband has died in A car accident and she is supposed to be a grieving widow. Only she isn’t really grieving. She didn’t want to be married to him anymore just before the accident. Amanda Cox deals with some difficult issues throughout the book but she does it so well. I am now an Amanda Cox fan and she has become my newest auto buy author!

While THE SECRET KEEPERS OF OLD DEPOT GROCERY is focused on the lives and different personalities of the women and how each in their own way responds to the not knowing what comes next, the question at the very heart of the book is – would I take the easy way out and sell the one place where I was the happiest? Needless to say, the story brings a strong emotional response. So keep the tissues handy. THE SECRET KEEPERS OF OLD DEPOT GROCERY will stay with you for a long time after you finish reading it. I have no idea when I will be able to read another book, but right now I can’t stop thinking about this one. There were several times I found myself desperately wanting to keep reading, to find out what would happen next, but I was afraid to turn the page, scared of the possible fates awaiting these characters. Amanda Cox has a magical way of telling dramatic stories about women, friendship and family.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you have not read either of Ms. Cox’s books, I highly recommend both of her books. This book will draw you into the Old Depot Grocery which is run by Glory Ann and her daughter Rosemary. When tragedy strikes Rosemary’s daughter, Sarah comes home to run the Old Depot Grocery. She wants to bring it back to its former self. This novel is a split time novel which goes from past to present with an intertwining story between the two. There are so many lessons that people can get from reading this story. Even when we think we are protecting others by keeping secrets, this book demonstrates how sometimes the secrets would be better to come out into the light. I loved this book by Ms. Cox and look forward to her future releases. I highly recommend you read this book and know you will not be disappointed!!!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

This story details an abundance of sadness, yet, within the heartbreaking tale, hope emerges and nudges love to grow. I had to take breaks from the heaviness of this novel, but it kept drawing me back. I love the way the author wove the stories of strong women from three generations together and included suspense and secrets that may have been kept too long. Mistakes, tension among family members, pain from the past, and the worth of each person make this compelling timeslip drama unforgettable. I could feel the emotions. It reminded me that we should be honest and speak the truth to each other because it could avoid much hurt and misunderstanding, but it also shows how God can redeem our human shortcomings. The old store comes across as a character too, and each of the characters are well-developed and multi-layered. This story is a treasure to be savored. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own. #TheSecretKeepersofOldDepotGrocery #NetGalley

The Secret Keepers of the Old Grocery Depot, by Amanda Cox, is completely enchanting.

I typically don’t overly love books without a strong romance thread, but wow, this would be the exception that proves the rule. The story is told from three points of view, covering three generations all drawn together in the present day.

When Sarah returns to her small hometown after the loss of her husband, she just wants to help Grandma Glory Ann to run the family grocery, but her mother, Rosemary has other ideas after a life-altering diagnosis. As the three go head to head over the Old Set Grocery’s future, visits to key events in the lives of all three tell powerful stories of heartbreak, lost love, deeply hidden secrets, the damage caused by miscommunication and the beauty of love.

Seventeen year old Glory Ann lost everything when her fiancee left for Vietnam and didn’t return.

Rosemary spent her whole life feeling second best and thinking she had to support those around her, no matter the personal cost.

Sarah needs to find the strength to reunite her family while facing life as a newly pregnant widow.

Then a locked away letter changes everything.

As I said, The Secret Keepers of the Old Grocery Depot, isn’t my typical go to book. But wow. From the first page I was all in and the pages kept turning, all too quickly. The way Cox evokes past eras of life in the south, paints family dynamics with just a few carefully chosen words, and delivers such heart-searing emotional complexity, shows a truly skilled writer.

This book is highly recommended.


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A novel about secrets. And ongoing ramifications, like the ripples in a pond. ‘Even unto the third generation...’ How wrong thinking can affect not only our whole lives, but also those of others. And if all that is getting a bit heavy, there is also some good advice : “Listen to the passions in your heart that your Creator put there...Just listen for once instead of coming up with a list of reasons why you can’t.” Now go & start putting the lessons you’ve learned into action.

I love this book! I really like the characters and rooted for them all the way. The story is bittersweet and there are secrets galore but the love these family members have for each other carries the day. This story gives credence to the phrase "the truth will set you free" . The author is a great writer and I will look for more of her books. I highly recommend. Read this you will be thrilled you did!

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this incredible ARC for my honest review.

It's hard to understand sometimes how deep a secret can hurt someone. You might think you're doing what's best. You might be keeping a secret because it's best for you and not them. This novel takes that idea and shows the spiderweb of pain that secrets create over time. Glory Ann and Rosemary are mother and daughter, and though they've spent their lives side by side at Old Depot, they don't really know each other. When Sarah comes home, all of Rosemary's fears come barreling back with her daughter, and the secrets that all three women would rather bury claw their way to the light. Somehow, they will have to learn to deal with the pain of the past and the betrayal of each other if they want to come together as a family once more. With exceptional prose and characters you will love from the first page, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery will keep you turning pages. I became invested in this book with a deep need to see the characters overcome their secrets and find a way to move forward. If you enjoy books about family, you should pick this one up. I received a copy of this book from RevellReads. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.

The atmosphere was superb in this one. That was the most mesmerizing thing for me while I was reading this book. I also thought the author nailed the dialect of small-town Southern United States. The way these characters spoke and thought made them come alive for me.

The cover was amazing… until I realized there were only two letters mentioned in the story instead of the hefty stack shown on the lower portion of the cover. Now that car… I’ll take one of those, please! So gorgeous, those curves. And I still love the tone that’s set by the cover. That was totally spot-on.

Clarence was a completely compassionate gentleman. I couldn’t get enough of this guy and his love for “his girls” (his wife and daughters). His protective spirit and encouraging nature were amazing, and I wish he could have been in several more scenes.

Now for the stuff I struggled with…

Glory Ann recognized early that pre-marital sex and an unwed pregnancy were mistakes, BUT shortly after that, she was “not ashamed of” these things, though shame is exactly what sin should stir up in us.

She also saw and spoke to her dead fiancé as if he were really still alive. That was spooky and weird.

The name for the elderly ladies’ sewing club didn’t make sense to me and felt disrespectful to God. It was the “Poker Night Prayer and Sewing Circle.” They never once played poker. Why not call it simply the “Prayer and Sewing Circle”?

I was completely confused at where Sarah had previously lived. I thought it was Chicago, Illinois, because Chicago was mentioned several times. Then, out of nowhere, “get back to Virginia” and “her Chicago responsibilities” were both mentioned on a single page, talking about her going home to her former place of residence for a time. At that point, I lost all bearings of where Sarah’s past took place.

Having the “preacher’s wife let a cuss word fly” was not a good example of Ephesians 4:29, which says, “No foul language is to come from your mouth.” A preacher’s wife has great responsibility to lead by example because of the position of spiritual leadership her husband and she are both in, so this was definitely something that bothered me.

Whenever a character was asked if she had an affair, her immediate and only response was, “No. Never.” How, then, did she end up having a baby out of wedlock? Sounds like a pre-marital affair to me. Not all affairs are when one or both parties are already married. It’s any sexual relationship outside of the bonds of marriage. An online dictionary says an affair is “an intense amorous relationship, usually of short duration,” which was exactly what happened. Therefore, the lady did have an affair, which means she also lied about not having one.

Overall, this story was very atmospheric with a compassionate gentleman of a character who stood out as memorable. I’ve already heard from several other reader friends on Goodreads that they adored this story, so I’m sure other readers will as well.

Content: unwed pregnancy, gambling term in a prayer group name, replacement profanity, teen drinking, drugs mentioned

Oh my! What a beautiful story Amanda Cox has written for her sophomore novel. It's quite remarkable. Set over two different time periods: the present day and the years from 1965 into the 1980s, we meet three generations of Clearwater ladies: Glory Ann (or Nan), her daughter Rosemary and the latter's daughter, Sarah. Cox weaves a compelling small town story of kept secrets, parental expectations, familial loss and forgiveness through the lives of these strong women. All so alike in many respects but also unique I warmed to each of the three for different reasons.

The three ladies lives pivot around the Old Depot Grocery which Glory Ann ran with her husband and both Rosemary and Sarah grew up working in from an early age. It serves as a physical statement of so much life shared between the three but it also served as a mechanism for the three to 'hide' their secrets and 'hide away' from the possibilities of doing something different with their lives.

It was powerful reminder of the importance of truth but also unconditional familial love that allows forgiveness and redemption. There's also a strong side note regarding the difficulty of war vets adjusting back to normal life which I enjoyed reading too.

I appreciated how we saw quiet strength in some of the male characters too. Clarence Clearwater was a superb character demonstrating unconditional love not just to his wife and daughters but the community as well. Clay Ashby also was a beautiful illustration of a man of quiet strength, who didn't push himself onto Sarah, giving her the time and space she needed to grieve her loss and reconcile her past and future aspirations.

Cox managed the different POVS well and I always felt confident in who's voice I was reading and the time period each scene/chapter was set.

I'm so looking forward to Cox's next story. She might have become a 'must read' author for me.

I received an early ebook copy as part of Revell Reads blogger program via NetGalley with no expectation of a favourable review.

After the death of her husband Sarah returns to her hometown to revives her dream of running the Old Depot Grocery alongside her mother and grandmother. Working together brings secrets from the past to the surface, can they save the store and make peace with the past.

A story that weaves together the lives of three generations of women, jumping through pivotal moments in their lives, and the reasons for the secrets that they each keep. In some ways the construction of the story made it a slow start as the pieces took a while to come together, I really enjoyed getting to know each of the ladies through the snapshots of their lives. Clarence was probably was one of my favorite characters, and he proved to be a wonderful man through and through.

Overall, a touching, and poignant read about family, faith, and the secrets that we keep. I liked how it explored the complex relationships, and the challenges that each of the women faced. A solid read, with great depth and well developed characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Set in Brighton, Tennessee the Old Depot Grocery was owned by Clarence Clearwater's family and had been in business for decades. Nineteen year old pregnant and unmarried Glory Ann had no knowledge of it on a fateful day in June, 1965 when her father drove her there and introduced her to Clarence. Next, Clarence told her father he would marry her. It is easy to imagine her shock as she had recently lost the man she loved. From that point on the story is told in alternating voices of Glory Ann, her daughter Rosemary and Rosemary's daughter, Sarah both in the present and the past. Three generations of complex women find themselves disagreeing about the future of the business.
From the first chapter, readers are drawn into a sensitive portrayal of a family whose history is impacting their current lives At one point or another during the narrative each woman struggles to make peace with the past. They collectively have so many secrets that it is easy to see why they are haunted by remorse. Masterfully paced, the secrets are revealed and shocking discoveries surface. Can the women find a way to move forward?
I found this story to be a sensitive and insightful portrayal of a family. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.