Gabbie’s life begins to unravel when she discovers her husband, Liam, has been keeping secrets. She packs up her kids and drive out to her childhood home where her stepmother lives. Gabbie discovers secrets about her mother, her childhood bully Jessica, and her stepmother Jill. This is a domestic suspense with good pacing. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy.

Another great book from one of my favourite authors which was full of lies, intrigue and heartbreaking in parts.

I particularly liked the different timelines in this family drama, all the characters were excellent and so well described I just loved every page from the beginning until the end and it kept me on the edge of my seat all the way.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this fantastic ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending.

A heartbreaking story on lies, secrets and misunderstandings. Flipping between the lives of past and present Gabbie as she tries to do the right thing by her children, only to find out everything in her life is a lie. A story of betrayal that has a somewhat happy ending. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this.

I absolutely adore this authors books as they write about real life relatable issues and don’t shy away from talking about sensitive subjects and get to the heart of human emotion. I always know that once I start reading this authors books I won’t be able to put them down so try and make some to read in one go. I also know that I will need to have a box full of tissues to hand.


This is story of family and of the bond between a mother and their child and about relationships with others it’s a heartbreaking and moving story that really hits you to the core and explores why keeping secrets can be dangerous. I couldn’t stop thinking about it even when I had finished reading

I have been a fan of Emma Robinson and her writing for a very long time now. I hate waiting for the next one.

This book is just simply fantastic. I loved Gabbie and found her very real. As someone that has experienced the step-mum dynamic I found it very accurate and relatable.

Emma always deals with difficult issues. And this new book is no different. But as always she takes you through the journey with this family seamlessly. There are no questions left as you close the last page.

Another dynamic I love in this book is Gabbie and Jill. Once again Emma shows the fantastic relationship that is formed between females and I still love this about her books.

Once again Emma has smashed it out the park and made a delightful read. It's so easy to keep turning the pages right up until the end.

First off, let me say thank you for letting me review this book, it’s been a pleasure to read your work.

So… this is not what I excepted from the cover of this book, I loved the style of writing, the realism of it all, how the book gives a bigger insight to bulling and addictions and also the fact that as children we don’t see the bigger picture and it isn’t until we are older that we fully understand the love and care that not only our parents have for us but also what any caregiver has for the children. Now I found the actual story to be lacking in a shock factor as the cover gave me the sense it was a thriller or mystery, if I’m honest I was waiting to find out the stepmother had killed gabbies biological mum for her dad, as I started nearing the end I realised this wasn’t going to happen 😂 all in all the actual style of writing is good but I was just lacking that wow factor,

Gabbie's life has been turned upside down. Her husband has betrayed her and their daughters in the worst way, and she has no option but to go to the last place she wants, her childhood home. Jill, her stepmother, has been living there alone since Gabbie's father died. Gabbie has never cared for Jill and her judgemental demeanor. She hasn't been back to the house in years, now she has no choice but to ask the woman she hates for help.

Maybe I'm heartless and petty, but if I was in Gabbie's place I would have thrown my husband under the bus from the beginning, after making sure my kids and I would be ok. Knowing how many lies after lies I'd been told, I would not be feeling sorry for him even a bit. Of course, you don't stop loving someone, but you can not make yourself, and especially your children, a victim of their addiction. You can help them try to recover and do better, but your first priority should be your kids. Also, I don't believe children, especially older children, should be kept in the dark about serious matters like this. If anything, it can be a learning experience. I was annoyed that Gabbie didn't try to explain to Olivia. She didn't have to make Liam look bad, but some honesty from the beginning would probably have been appreciated by her daughter. Obviously, this is the moral of the story in a sense, but it was pretty frustrating to read.
This is my second book by Emma Robinson and I've realized two things. The synopsis is never quite accurate and it tends to make you think this will be a thriller, and it's not. However, I assume this is the publisher's way of trying to make the story interesting, but I don't think it's necessary. The author is good at writing emotional family dramas, and I have enjoyed what I have read by her so far.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Parents want to protect their children from physical as well as emotional pain. It's hard to separate those two because emotional pain can cause you to hurt physically too and vice versa.

The other side of the medal is that your children will not understand why you act in a certain way and might start resenting you. The protector suddenly becomes the bad guy because they want to sugarcoat what really happens and you end up falling out, loosing precious time together...

In the end, when all the secrets are revealed,you can either let history repeat itself or you can act. Maybe this way is the hard way, but at least the air will be cleared and your connection with your loved ones will be stronger afterwards. Tehy will thank you for your honesty once the first shock is digested. 

Sometimes bridges can be build/ Sometimes it's too late to say sorry.

When I pick a book by this author I know, even before I have opened it, that I am in for a fabulous heartwarming as well as heartbreaking story. If humans were not forced to sleep, I would have finished it in one sitting. :) I loved it. Although it touched my heart very often, I kept the best for lest, just like the author did. My tears came because of the last chapter.  5 stars

Thank you

This author has a way of always making me feel every emotion… And this book is no different. I’ve become a huge fan of this author and every time I see one of her books it is an immediate read for me !

I loved this book. I was drawn in from page 1 and became totally absorbed with the family. It’s such an easy, and also engaging read.
I’ve not read much from this author but will definitely me looking out for more of her books in future as I hugely enjoyed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it hooked me from the first few pages! Lots of twists and turns kept me guessing. I would recommend this!

Another triumph!

This book is somehow fast paced but also not! I think because of the dual timeline and the links back to the past it slows down the pace of the main story. It is a great combination.

A story of family, protection and betrayal. What does it mean to be family? How would you chose to protect those your love? Would you tell your children the truth about everything?

A wonderfully told tale of what it means to be a parent. I loved the characters, I loved the building and revealing of Jill’s character and her role in Gabbie’s life.

I loved everything about this book and the ending had me in tears!

Gabbie and her two daughters have to move to her childhood home where her stepmother awaits her, with whom she has not gotten along very well since she was a little girl because she is the opposite of her late beloved mother. To this must be added the problems in her marriage, a teenage daughter and some family secrets.
The book flows without one noticing thanks to the good work of Emma Robinson who manages to create believable characters with whom you can identify and feel their problems as their own. The plot grips you alternating the past, reflected in Gabbie's letters to her mother from boarding school, along with the present with all its problems and secrets to unveil.
Clearly a book worth reading that will make you enjoy until the last page.

This book was extremely addictive! There was a lot going on and I couldn’t put this down because I needed to figure it all out. A beautifully written book about the importance of family and how their secrets can make you resent them. Emma did a great job at portraying each character and really making you understand and feel what they were feeling.

This was my first time reading a book by this author but definitely will not be my last!

WOW, WOW, WOW. I absolutely loved this book. It completely blew my mind and I have not been able to stop thinking about it since I finished reading it! I devoured this in one sitting… Magnificent. Prepare to be moved!

I’ve always found Emma Robinson’s books moreish, and My Stepmother’s Secret is no different. I galloped through.
The faultless writing allows you to fully immerse yourself in the story, and this emotional family drama, packed with secrets, lies and gripping backstory, was a brilliant one to get lost in.
Robinson writes children beautifully. I adored little Alice!
Mum, Gabbie, is such a relatable character. I sympathised deeply with her no-win situation and the way her character grew and changed made for a hugely rewarding ending.
Another superb book from Robinson. Highly recommend!

What a wonderful book, when I saw My Mother's Secret on Netgallery I requested it striaght away as I knew it would be good, such a sad but beautifully written book.

I couldn't put this down for 2 days.
A rather upsetting book in a way. I hope others find it as good as I did
Would recommend to anyone who asks for a good book to read thankyou negalley for this opportunity

What a fantastic read. I've read this book in two sittings I loved it and couldn't put it down..When Gabbie and her children have to leave their home after she learns what her husband has done she has to bury her pride and ask her stepmother' if they can stay with her and also pluck up the courage to ask for help. There are plenty of secrets that have to come out from her past about her parents relationship and she finally realises that things were not as she remembered them ,while also trying to shield her children from the problems in their own lives but will she be able to trust again and will she have the courage to do what's best for her family. Highly recommend this book

Wow, My Stepmother's Secret by Emma Robinson was so good and a gripping story. As described, it is an incredibly powerful and heartbreaking story about family. Gabbie learns so many truths about her family and what secrets can tear a family apart. The plot made sense, and the characters were well-written and believable. I liked how the author unraveled the story and kept me turning the pages.

I would recommend this book and this author. I look forward to reading more from Emma Robinson. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I had a hard time putting it down.

#MyStepmothersSecret #NetGalley @bookouture