Another masterpiece by Amanda Cox. Beautifully written. Memorable characters. An original story line. Thoroughly enjoyable. Five stars.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! This story follows three generations of women as they each battle the secrets they've kept hidden and their impacts. The blending of the women's stories, all different ages and from different time periods, meld perfectly amid their changing circumstances. This book had me sneaking away from the kids to garner some reading time so I could finish it. I've read the author's first book and will definitely keep reading.

'It's the things we don't say that have the power to rule our lives without our permission.'

When I read Amanda Cox's debut novel last year, I thought it was astounding! She was a great new voice in Christian fiction and I made sure to keep an eye out for her next offering. I was not disappointed at all in her sophomore effort.

Told over the span of sixty years, the story comes alive in Cox's pen. Three women in a family feature prominently here as Cox brings them to life vividly. Each has their own cross to bear and have born them for many years. We see their pain, joy, secrets as they deal with the life they've lived. Indeed, we feel their pain as Cox fleshes them out fully for us to see.

'It was a double-edged sword, this life of hers. Loving the blessings she had, sometimes still aching for what couldn't be.'

This book explores powerfully the mother/daughter relationship and the importance of keeping lines of communication open, and the detrimental effects of secrets kept. Certainly one for the keeper shelf. Amanda Cox knows her craft well.

My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. I was not expected to leave a positive review . The opinion here is expressly my own.

I was completely enthralled with this book from the moment I opened the first page, missing sleep to see what the next page would bring.
The dual timeline gave me a clearer picture of why the secrets we keep can unwittingly bring heartache to the ones we love the most, the power of family, and forgiveness.
Centered around the Old Depot Grocery, a place of community, memories, and a legacy of love I was given a glimpse of how three generations of women were held captive by the secrets they kept, and set free by the courage to face
them, and become stronger in the process.
Glory Ann, from loneliness to love, Rosemary from guilt to forgiveness, and Sarah from uncertainty to a bright future.
I wholly recommend this book.
I was given a copy courtesy of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

The Secret Keepers of the Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox is a stunning and beautiful dual timeline historical fiction that is truly special and I highly recommend.

Ms. Cox is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I am in live with her previous book, The Edge of Belonging, so I knew I had to read this one. It did not disappoint.

This story will resonate down to your very soul. The author’s ability to depict the human character and the fundamental relationships that make us who we are, is just amazing. Her characters are so real, the emotions so raw, and the complexity that she weaves into a gripping narrative just leaves me in awe.

This book has it all: mystery, suspense, love, loss, loyalty, secrets, history, love, forgiveness, hope, and faith. The way she weaves a story involving this family, the multiple generations of women, the relationships between its members, and how it all plays out when Sarah returns home to the Grocery and her mother and grandmother is just wonderful. Finding out why each character ends up as they are in present day and feels as they do, is gripping. You will laugh, tear up, cheer, and feel your heart expand during this story.

I can’t give away too much more without spoiling the journey for fellow readers, but let me just say this is a trip that you must take and you will remember it for years to come.

5/5 stars

Thank you to the Author and Revell for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.