Cate Woods is a new-to-me author, and, as is my norm, A Secret at Tansy Falls is the second book in a series--I've not read the first one, but, for a change, I didn't feel lost at all, so this novel worked just fine as a standalone. My primary reason for requesting an advance reader copy of this novel was the setting, northern Vermont, not all that far from where I reside, having moved here in the mid 1980s, and while I liked the sense of place in this novel, as a former business owner here, the author's estimation of the wealthy crowds of shoppers in this tiny Vermont hamlet was a bit over-the-top and unrealistic. Additionally, although I read and review romance novels, I rarely read midlife-crisis women's fiction, and while I enjoyed the way the novel was written, there were things about it that just didn't work for me, and for that reason and several others, I can only give it a 3.5 star rating.

The main characters in this novel are Connie (Conifer) and Nate Austen, a married couple for almost 23 years, and after Nate lost his job almost a year earlier, he's yet to find another one, and he doesn't really seem to be looking hard for another one, at least in Connie's eyes. While I understand his angst because the same event happened in my own marriage more than a decade ago, when a man cannot support his family it shakes his self-esteem and his feelings of self-worth.

Luckily, Connie has a job managing a successful and charming small hotel, so although her wealthy and almost 70-year-old hippie father refused to give her a loan, she's managed to keep their home and pay the bills, and her most recent idea is paying off--taking in a boarder, James, who is a posh designer working at the new ultra-deluxe resort being built nearby, a move which certainly causes complications later on, as does the fact that her father has suddenly taken up with a woman 10 years her junior.

To add to her stress, Connie has scheduled a free journalists/travel bloggers weekend at the inn, and hired an event coordinator to deal with the details, and promote the inn as a great place for a wedding, but at the last minute she learns that her new hire has taken a job at the new resort, leaving her in the lurch. As if that wasn't enough stress, her husband forgets her birthday, her flirtatious boarder has not, and her son, who has been at college, arrives suddenly--after getting drunk at a frat party and possibly being accused of and charged with sexual assault. As if that wasn't enough angst, her husband, who's been gone for weeks, returns home and announces that he's finally found a job--in San Francisco.

So what's wrong with this picture? In three words--lack of communication. Most of Connie's angst and fears, depression and confusion are due to the fact that all of these issues are spinning endlessly around inside her head. Her motto is "everything is fine," even when none of it is--her marriage is crumbling in front of her and she doesn't say a thing to Nate. If my husband forgot my birthday, believe me, he'd be hearing about it. If we'd barely said two words to one another for the better part of a year, I wouldn't ignore it and simply hope for better.

Perhaps my perspective about the plot of this novel and the behavior of its main character is skewed by the fact that I've been married twice as long as Connie and Nate, and when problems arise they are dealt with, talked about and resolved. No problem is ever solved by pretending it doesn't exist, and I expected more of that insight from a woman who is 49 years old. There were moments in this novel, especially when Connie starts to believe that her husband is having an affair, when I wanted to reach into the novel and slap some sense into her, especially after she finds herself attracted to her boarder. I found that Connie was, in many ways, her own worst enemy.

If you enjoy angsty novels, and I generally do, you may find yourself liking this novel more than I did. It is well-written, but I'm guessing that the author has not been married nearly as long as I have (46 years), and doesn't share my perspective about openness and honest communication between marital partners. It's not a bad read, but I did find it a frustrating one. And one final question--what exactly was the secret mentioned in the title?

As stated, I read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 Stars

When I requested this book I didn’t realize it is the second in a trilogy featuring the charming New England town of Tansy Falls. I had a sense as I was reading it that I was missing a bit of subtext, but I do feel this works as a stand-alone novel.

Connie (aka Conifer) and Nate Austen are both aware that their long-term marriage is being to unravel. Nate lost his job as editor of a respected travel magazine, suffering a severe blow to his self-confidence and self-worth. Connie, the manager of a small family-owned hotel, picked up the slack as breadwinner and worried about stretching their finances. To make ends meet, they agree to take in a boarder. The drama ensues with multiple complications adding to the stress: the new renter senses her vulnerability and pursues Connie; her widowed father falls in love with a much younger woman; a weekend press trip for the hotel takes an unusual turn that jeopardizes Connie’s reputation and job; and the Austen’s son is under investigation at his college. Mix in the octogenarian and highly opinionated owners of the hotel, a very pregnant pastry chef and Connie’s righteous sister – making for a chaotic, but interesting storyline.

While the writing is engaging, I did have a few concerns. Connie’s people-pleasing, peacekeeper persona leads her into difficulty through poor communication. I did appreciate when she began to assert herself, but the resolution of her marital difficulties seemed rushed and unrealistic. Similarly, the crabby octogenarian owner does a complete reversal of her previous, relentless criticisms in one conversation. I also found what I believe to be an error – not a huge problem, but it calls for more attention to detail. A shaman-healer invites Connie to a full moon women’s circle in the woods. Connie mentions that the moonlight is so bright she doesn’t need a flashlight. Once the circle convenes the Shaman emphasizes this is a new moon ceremony to plant “seeds,” rather than a full moon ceremony to honor the fulfillment of the cycle before a new beginning.

I am tempted to track down a copy of the first book (The Inn at Tansy Falls) and I look forward to the third offering in the series.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and Net Galley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my Good Reads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Beautifully written story!
So much has been lost just because we still don't know how to reach out, how to respond with kindness, how to survive the unexpected. This is what this story is about, love, resilience, and forgiveness. This is one of those hard to overcome books, hard to forget without feeling the sadness and gratefulness for reading it. Ambiguous but true. A perfect read!

📑This ARC was granted to me through NetGalley and approved by Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This book is the second in a series but can easily be read as a standalone.

Connie is struggling. Her long-term marriage to Nate has lost its spark, well and truly, and when a handsome man starts paying her attention, it isn't too long until things get into a muddle. She also has a demanding job and a son who gets himself into strife.

I really wasn't sure where this book was going to go, initially, but it found its rhythm. There are definitely some twists and turns which add interest and I enjoyed reading about the various guests and their antics at the Inn that Connie managed.

4.5 stars from me.

A light read in a beautiful setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

Connie is in the beginning of the empty nesting phase and with her husband recently unemployed, she is barely holding it together when a lodger makes her question it all.

I am not sure I read the synopsis of this one closely because I as a reader tend to avoid the is he cheating books. I just don't love to read that kind of a story and tend to avoid them. So for Connie to question her relationship throughout the book, I just don't love reading that and don't love that kind of anticipation waiting to see the conclusion.

As far as the characters. I loved Connie when she was at work. I loved the small town and her working at the inn and the characters that she interacted with there, so I slowly read those pages and skipped over the is he cheating parts!

I would read more from this author if the characters are put into a different plot.

Just as a warning, I didn't know this before starting this book, but it is book two in a series and there were a few moments while reading where I could tell that I had missed a previous book that had plot points that I would have liked before reading this one. While I know in romance series, the romance is self contained, I tend to be a purist and like to start at square one, so go read that one before this one!

Change is tough, especially when it isn't what you've chosen. Connie, who works at the Inn at Tansy Falls, feels that her husband Nate has grown distant even as she herself becomes closer to James. And then there's her father. There are multiple plot lines in this novel about a group of people in a small town but it's easy to follow- and you don't need to have read the first book. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A pleasant read.

I have once again returned to Tansy Falls! After finishing The Inn at Tansy Falls, I couldn't wait to go back to the loveliest fictional place I've visited in years. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long for Cate Woods to finish the second book in her Tansy Falls series. A Secret at Tansy Falls takes the reader right back to the lovely little town with it's loveable - and peculiar! - inhabitants.

This time I have met Connie and Nate Austen. They have been happily married for 20 years. Or at least, they had been happy so far, but lately things seem to go downhill, after Nate has been made redundant at work. The problems seem to be piling up and in stead of finding comfort in each other, Connie and Nate seem to drift apart.

Connie is absorbed by her work at the Covered Bridge Inn we have all read about in The Inn at Tansy Falls. A press weekend is coming up and she's very short-staffed. At the same time Nate is struggling to find a new job and has a hard time coming to terms with being set aside. And if that is not enough, their son Ethan comes home from college totally distraught. Will peace and quiet ever return to the Austen household?

If I could, I would have read A Secret at Tansy Falls in one go. Unfortunately with lots of deadlines at work, the holidays and the end of the year approaching, I had to put down the novel time and again. Not to worry though, it is a story that sticks to you. Even after a week of not reading a word, I was right back in Tansy Falls when I picked it up again.

I do love series surrounding a certain town, in which different inhabitants feature in stead of one set of main characters. Last time it was all about Nell and Jackson. This time they only pass by and it's all about Connie and Nate. But only recognising the characters of The Inn at Tansy Falls makes the book feel like returning home.

I guess you can say that I'm overall enthusiastic about the Tansy Falls series. If I have to compare, I have to say that I did like The Inn at Tansy Falls better. I always like a good quest, just like the itinerary Nell receives from her friend. It was also easier for me to connect to Nell. Connie seems a long way off for me. Also a bit dramatic from time to time. But don't worry! Remember Brody? In my review of The Inn of Tansy Falls I wrote about him: "Brody, oh Brody, you ARE trouble!" And luckily, he still is!!

If you are looking for relaxation and a quick read, you might as well pick up A Secret at Tansy Falls!

Really enjoyed this story about a number of lives around Tansy Falls, Vermont - a town that seems to have a lot of charm that I would be interested in visiting if it existed in real life. A mountain town, complete with a general store, inn, and all the characters you could hope for.

Connie is an all-around helper of everyone around her, but often misses taking care of and standing up for herself, even when not doing so puts significant extra stress on herself. Her marriage to Nate seems to be falling apart ever since Nate lost his job. But with the help of a couple of newcomers to Tansy Falls, she remembers what it's like to feel wanted - which may or may not be the final straw in the marriage. Whilst dealing with her marriage, she is entirely consumed by planning a press weekend at the inn she manages, along with other family matters - very much in the line with the saying, "when it rains, it pours."

This is the second part of the Tansy Falls series, and although I have not yet read The Inn at Tansy Falls, I have added it to my bookshelf and will anxiously await the next instalment from Cate Woods.

Thank you for NetGalley for providing me with this book for review.

I was initially drawn to the cover of the book, what a beautiful design, which matches in perfectly to the overall feel of the book. It's a light cosy read, just right to start a new year off.

Starting over is never easy and that proves to be the case for Connie. She had been married to Nate for two decades but she finds him less and less engaged. Finances get rather tight, especially after Nate loses his job. They decide to take in a boarder named James. Meanwhile, Connie is working hard at her job managing a small hotel. She faces difficulty with staff and an impending event. Meanwhile, James begins paying her more attention than Nate had been of late. Also, Connie finds herself very worried about her father as he becomes involved with a woman many years his junior.

The drama facing Connie meets no end. Unable to connect with Nate, finding herself drawn to James, Then her concern for her father and her relationship with her sister come into play. Although this is the second book in a trilogy, having not read the first book didn't lessen the enjoyment of this one. The characters and the plot were engaging, as well as the setting. As someone who lives in New England, I loved reading this book set in the hills of Vermont.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

this is the second book in this series, enjoyed book one and really liked this one. connie runs an inn with her best friend Piper in Tansy Falls. her husband has grown distant and she doesn't know why. a stranger arrives town with a secret about her husband. good story.

This is a sweet read, though I'll admit that I didn't realize it was a sequel when I requested it from NetGalley. So perhaps I was a little less connected to the characters/setting than I would have been otherwise. I did like it enough that I plan to check out the first book and get the background on the characters.

A unemployed husband who is distant and definitely hiding something. A father with a new young girlfriend. A son who is in trouble. A demanding job. What else could go wrong in Connie Austen’s life?

His name is James Ortiz. He’s charismatic, charming and obviously attracted to Connie. After Nate, her husband of 20 years, forgets her birthday, she longs for attention. Meanwhile a press weekend at The Covered Bridge Inn, where Connie is the manager, threatens to go spectacularly wrong. Connie faces many choices. Her decisions will change her live forever.

I could live in Tansy Falls. It’s a charming location for this delightful novel. The characters are well drawn, the plot is fast paced and the mood veers from sadness to laugh out loud humor. This is a fun, easy read and it deserves 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Cate Woods for this ARC.

The story
Connie is in her late forties and works as a manager at the inn at Tansy Falls. She has been married to Nate for many years, and her son Ethan has moved away to study. Her once perfect marriage is taking strain since Nate was made redundant from his magazine editor job, and things just don’t feel like they are going right in any way for Connie. Her father has a young girlfriend, her son runs into trouble and things with Nate seem dire. When James, their lodger pays attention to her, Connie is tempted.

My thoughts
This is the second book in a series, but the story is very different to the vibe of the first story. In the Inn at Tansy Falls, Nell was visiting from the UK after the death of a friend. This story deals more with an empty nest and midlife crisis. I think the books work fine as standalone but there are references to characters in the first book. There was less focus on the village and more focus on Connie’s problems and lack of communication (my worst) 🙈

A great return to Tansey Falls. Continues the story of the inn. Makes you want to wake up there on a sunny summer morning. Connie and Nate work through their marriage troubles and find new meaning in life.
Love this series

This was a light breezy romantic book. I didn’t realize it was part of a series when I started reading it. It’s set in what sounds like a lovely inn, somewhere you might want to visit. I enjoyed the book
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This is the second book of the Tansy Falls series. After reading the first book Inn At Tansy Falls, I had high expectations for the second book and couldn't wait to read the next one.

Well, I am not saying it was bad, but it was't good as the first one.

Connie and Nate had been married for many years but they have been struggling with their marriage recently and she soon discovered a secret about Nate that explained why he was distant. With the help of her friends at the inn, she tries to live a life without Nate and meets a man named James Oritz who seemed to have swept her off the feet.

First of all let's start with the good things. The writing was great. The descriptions of the inn, the garden and view made the reader feel like they are the part of the story as well. I really liked the author's style of writing and the author has a way of drawing the reader into the story. But the bad thing is, the story is bland, boring and not much is going on in the story. First of all, this is not the continuation of the first book, and the characters in the first book are just barely mentioned in the book. Overall, I didn't enjoy the story as much as I did with the previous one. Nonetheless, if there's a third book in the series, then I couldn't wait to read that one and hopefully will be better than this.

Worth three stars. Mnay thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

A light fun read I say!

The writing is fun to read. An age gap romance which will not take much time to read.

The ending made me so happy!

Go for this book if you love the cover (because I do!) and a fun-filled, light romance read.

Thank you, Bookouture and the author, for the advance reading copy.

A Secret at Tansy Falls is the second book in the Tansy Falls series. Although there are carryover characters from the first novel, they don’t play a major role. Thus, one is able to read A Secret at Tansy Falls as a standalone novel.

Unlike the first novel, which focused on a budding romance, this novel focuses on a married couple, Nate and Connie. Nate and Connie have been married 23 years and their long lasting marriage is now on the brink of failure. It doesn’t help that Nate is laid off, leaving Connie to take over the financial burden along with reinventing the marketing plan for the inn she works at.

Seemingly entering a midlife crisis, Nate and Connie are at a crossroads. They lost that spark and everything is just so mundane and routine. Further undermining their relationship, suspcious activity threatens to overturn everything that they have worked for in their marriage.

While I thoroughly enjoyed Cate Woods’ first novel in the series, I didn’t quite like this second novel. The characters didn’t appeal to me and just came across as soap opera-like, unfortunately.

The plot was okay. There are several intertwining narratives that are related to the main focus of Nate and Connie’s relationship. However, I didn’t quite see the point of inserting her father’s budding relationship with a much younger woman.

Overall, a decent read. Not the best and perhaps it’s second book syndrome where my expectations were too high for the sequel. Two stars — it was okay.

I received a digital ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

This review is currently posted here and on Goodreads. It will appear on my blog and other social media outlets on my January 21, 2022 book tour date.

Connie’s life seems out of control. She has a busy job at the local inn in her picturesque little town, but her husband is moody and distant. A new lodger shows great appreciation for her and she’s tempted. I liked setting and empathized with Connie’s angst. Many troubles are healed upon her and it looks as if she is about to lost it all. However, life has a way of working out its own kinks and I was relieved to read the results.
Find out the secret at Tansy Falls.