Member Reviews
Another delightful novel by Lynn Austin!
I do not normally enjoy reading more than two perspectives but this one was done very well! Junietta, the grandmother, was my favorite character throughout the entire book! So much wisdom...I began to love Adelaide and Sylvia halfway through when they started making good decisions and thinking for themselves.
I received an ARC from Netgalley.
Do you like books with multiple perspectives of the same event? Do you like generational stories? Do you like stories of how God works everything for His glory? Or about Romans 8:28 stories? What about ones with characters with baggage who learn to overcome?
Well have I got a book for you! LOL.
All My Secrets is the newest release from Lynn Austin. She is a master storyteller when it comes to weaving multiple perspectives together. In All My Secrets, we get three stories that are woven together: the grandmother Junietta, the mother Sylvia, and the granddaughter Adelaide.
When a sudden death of the current patriarch of the family sets the three women of the house in chaos--secrets become unearthed in the lives of the grandmother and mother.
Desperate for the chance to help her granddaughter use this rare opportunity to be set free from the rigid cage society has set in place for her to "marry well", Grandmother Junietta, begins to tell her life story that has been hidden for decades. Hoping that the lessons she shares will reach Adelaide. the secrets shock her granddaughter and her daughter-in-law. But the daughter-in-law, Addie's mom, has secrets of her own which are driving her to secure Addie's future. As each of these key women in Addie's life tries to help her understand "their side", Addie feels like she's in a tug of war.
The whole book has three beautiful arch that lay out for each woman until they ultimately are set free to accept their personal worth and value for what it truly is--not what society has set it as. And they learn that doing the right thing, means trusting in God for your care and future.
Junietta was my favorite character hands-down. She reminded me of the grandmother on Downton Abbey actually. Even down to the cane. And wow. that Arthur Stanhope the 1st was a piece of work I was very happy to hate.
This was a very good book written as if you are peeling an onion--but also knowing it will eventually come full circle.
4 stars.
*I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.
This was my first Lynn Austin book, and I absolutely loved it! “All My Secrets” is a Gilded Age novel with all of the Downton Abbey vibes. Need I say more to compel you?
This beautiful book follows three generations of women as they navigate life after a death in the family and an unfortunate will and testament leaves them without the fortune they once had and little future prospects.
The book has multiple POVs as well as multiple timelines as the novel provides glimpses into the former lives of the two eldest women: the mother and the grandmother. Both women have been living their life with many secrets that their daughter/granddaughter was never privy to. Now, they decide, is the time to begin sharing about their pasts. Will it change the future for the youngest Stanhope woman?
I loved the deep faith themes of this book and how beautifully the gospel was woven through. I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this story and did not want it to end!
I couldn’t recommend this upcoming release enough. If you love Christian historical fiction, you need to read this book! If you haven’t read any Christian historical fiction, this would be a great first book to pick up.
Highly, highly recommend!
Thank you to #netgalley and @tyndalehouse for my free e-copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Full book review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For more than 20 years I've been reading books by Lynn Austin, I count her as one of my favorite authors. In that time I've read many of her books but my favorite was always the first book of hers that I ever read. "All My Secrets" just pushed that book to #2.
"All My Secrets" is tells the stories of three generations of women during the Gilded Age in America. Junietta (grandmother), Sylvia (mother), and Adelaide (daughter). Junietta is Sylvia's mother-in-law and the relationship between them is an interesting one.. they aren't close, but they also aren't enemies. They seem to lead very different lives even though they are women of means and live in the same home. As the story unfolds, we begin to figure out WHY they are so different and how those differences influence their decisions. They come together and share their stories (with some encouragement from Junietta) as Adelaide is coming of age and the death of her father will force her to make some very difficult decisions.
Although I am about half of Junietta's age, I found that I could truly identify with her as the matriarch of the family. She and Sylvia want what every mother wants... a good life for their children/grandchildren. If you enjoy historical fiction please do yourself a big favor and add this book to your TBR pile! You'll love traveling back in time to New York in the Gilded Age.
Lynn Austin has done it again, this time bringing us an incredible story from the Gilded Age about three generations of women who unveiled secrets, redefine love, and find forgiveness all encompassed in her newest book called "All My Secrets". "...As long as we have breath, there's hope that repentance will bring forgiveness and lives will be changed. God can redeem any situation and bring new life from it, even yours and mine...." Women of all ages can relate to Lynn's cast of characters whether you're a teenager facing the pressures of family and friends, a mom trying to keep up appearances and/or make the best decisions for her child, or an older woman preparing to depart this life and be with God, "All My Secrets" holds a story of truth, compassion and love on many levels. This would be a great period piece to read with your daughter/granddaughter, make a wonderful gift for a friend, or even a joy to receive your next Amazon package with your name on it. @lynnaustinbooks #allmysecretsnovel
"All My Secrets" is a novel that demonstrates Christian fiction at its finest. It is a rich, superb tale of three generations of women in 1898 New York during the Gilded Age of the rich. When the family patriarch and male heir dies, leaving the family fortune to the nearest male relative, grandmother Junietta, mother Sylavia, and daughter Adelaide stand on the brink of poverty. The only solution to their desparate situation is for Adelaide to find a rich husband and fast, before anyone realizes their forthcoming financial ruin. However, Grandmother Junietta realizes that the secrets of the past may hold the key to a path forward for all of them beyond societal expectations. Will revealing those secrets bring healing and hope?
The novel does a fantastic job of toggling back and forth into Junietta's and Sylvia's pasts and Adelaide's present. Each time slot points to mistakes made but how God, in His forgiveness and mercy, used those circumstances. They point Adelaide forward to a faith of her own she has never before relied on.
The novel is fast-paced, and the details weave it tightly together. The viewponts of both Junietta and Sylvia are incredibly valueable. Control and love are counterposing themes.
In all, this novel is a wonderful tale worth reading. It is one of the must-read books of the year. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest of opinion.
All my Secrets @lynnaustinbooks This book is set to be released Feb 6th. I feel so thankful to @netgalley and @tyndalehouse for allowing me to read this as an ARC. I am kinda a Lynn Austin fangirl. 🤗 There isn’t a book she has written that I haven’t LOVED. This book falls in line with my previous reads. This is a multigenerational story of three woman in the same family and the choices they made to have the lives they have currently. One of the themes of All my Secrets, is recognizing your blessings and being a blessing to others. Another theme is not taking what you have for granted.
Secrets. We all have them as do Junietta, the devoted grandmother who is willing to share hers so that her dear granddaughter might be spared from following in some of her dark footsteps. And, the not so willing Sylvia, newly widowed, daughter-in-law and adamant mother of Adelaide. Will Addy follow in their failures or learn from them?
I think the reader, in whatever season of life they are in, will glean wisdom and truths from this story. Will youth be able to understand and learn from the sin that their parents and mentors have walked through? Or, will they take the stubborn way and choose to walk in their own errors? Are the more mature and aging willing to be vulnerable and share their “secrets” in the hope that their loved ones will not be ensnared in the same ways?
Lynn Austin has accomplished nothing less than a masterfully fashioned narrative following the lives of three Stanhope women. Set in New York during the gilded age. Rich in history, this gripping story reveals failures, bitterness, love, loss, hope, forgiveness and triumph. Secrets? We all have them. Follow this riveting, spiritual journey and savor the rich truths held within.
Lynn Austin has been a long time favorite author of mine. Her attention to historical detail and engaging characters create wonderful stories.
All My Secrets, set during the Gilded Age, follows three women in one family as they learn to navigate life after the unexpected death of their son/husband/father and the loss of their wealth. Arthur Stanhope lll has died. His will leaves his vast fortune and company to the nearest male heir, leaving his mother, wife, and daughter basically bankrupt. At a time when status is everything and women of this class didn’t work or run businesses the loss of Arthur and his income is especially devastating. His wife, Sylvia, believes the only solution is for their daughter, Adelaide, to marry a wealthy man before their financial status becomes known. While Arthur’s sage mother, Junietta, sees this as a chance for them to break free from the empty confines of society. Both Sylvia and Junietta have their secrets from the past that have shaped their present thinking and they must bring them to light in order to change the future for Adelaide and themselves.
I just loved this story. I have always had a fascination with the elegant lifestyle, impressive mansions, and beautiful fashion of the Gilded Age. Lynn Austin did an excellent job of creating the atmosphere of this time in history. As glamorous as the Gilded Age seemed it was a very rigid culture. And the reader certainly feels the desperation the two younger women have after their devastating loss. I absolutely loved Junietta. Her wisdom and spunk were just what Sylvia and Adelaide needed to tread these murky waters.
Forgiveness and redemption are central themes along with looking at what the worship of wealth does to a person and what kind of legacy is worth leaving behind. It was so refreshing to see strong biblical concepts throughout. To see conversations about sin, its consequences, and the price of redemption was encouraging. Just what I want and expect in Christian fiction. Fiction that is more than an enjoyable read - a story that points the reader back to Christ and what He has done for us.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lynn Austin has done it again. A wonderful story of three women and the choices their circumstances place in their lives. Themes of forgiveness, and unconditional love run through this book.
Great characters and Austin's eye for detail make this a wonderful read.
Fantastic book! Lynn Austin is a must read author for me and this one does not disappoint. I love how she follows all the story lines of three generations of women and the different perspectives of each. Their connection and support of each other was so fun and interesting to read. This is a worthy book to pick up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
“This is our chance to look closely at our lives and decide what’s important and what isn’t. We can dream new dreams, look for new goals, pursue new adventures. You no longer have to live a life of mindless indulgence, conforming to a dull, unimaginative society.”
Easily in the top five of my 2024 reads, All My Secrets is an intergenerational saga of three Stanhope women; Junietta, a grandmother; Sylvia Grace, a mother; and 19-year-old Adelaide, her daughter. Austin rapidly engrosses readers with her tale of family secrets that spans the American Revolution, the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and the Gilded Age.
I loved the 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 and seeing how it was woven throughout the generations. It gave me pause when I saw how Austin had worded it - “missing the mark.” One thing that was very clear to me was that when characters held on to grudges, nursed them, and coaxed them into bitterness, the destructive forces played out in each character and the generations following. Austin’s reminder to forgive and share our journey with loved ones really resonated with me. I loved her exploration of the benefits of learning from experience. I’m a teacher and BIG on reminding students that mistakes are really ‘learning experiences,’ but I’m not so eager to work it into my personal life!
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭:
✔️our choices and the ripple effects
✔️Breaking free of the mold society tries to cast for us
✔️unearthing skeletons in the closet
✔️Change - benefits and disadvantages
✔️Freedom to love and the joy of being loved in return
✔️Freedom from expectations
✔️Moving forward while sanding off grief’s painful edges
✔️Waring of settling for mindless conformity
✔️Warning about settling for contentment instead of happiness
✔️Learning to appreciate that we are God’s one-of-a-kind masterpiece
✔️Price we pay for sin
✔️Putting today’s trials in perspective
✔️Responsibility of wealth
✔️Choosing love over obligation
✔️Learning to wait on God
✔️Learning to meet in the middle
𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅:
❣️how Junietta kept putting off her daughter and granddaughter’s questions! She always seemed tired when they were looking for answers!
❣️The examination of what it means to be ‘lost’ and have a “legacy worth leaving”
𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈? I don’t leave the house without telling my husband how much I love him.
𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
❤️“Well, you can’t prevent change. It’s part of life. This cane was once an acorn, then a tree, then a stick of lumber. Now it serves an entirely new role, propping up an elderly lady. Its usefulness came at the cost of a great deal of chopping and cutting and sanding, and we always abhor those painful processes, don’t we?”
❤️“When you dare to love someone, you’ll always risk the pain of loss. A broken heart, like a broken leg, will heal in time. You’ll dance again someday. But the greater your love, the greater your limp will always be.”
I’m always swept away to another time and place with Austin’s masterful narratives; they’re so richly researched and inspiring, and so vividly painted with words. I’m in awe of her talent and her ability to encourage me to reach for my bible. I appreciate being part of the launch team and receiving a copy of this ARC from Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley to review.
A truly sweeping novel that exemplifies the expression "choices and consequences". Three generations of women learn that their choices affect not only themselves, but those around them. Saying "yes" to one thing, always leads to saying "no" to other options. Very strong female characters explore their choices in life and, in looking back, discover how their stories intertwine with the larger picture of their life and that of their families. As with all of Lynn Austin's books, you will be swept up in the story and won't want to put it down!
“All My Secrets” is the latest historical novel by Lynn Austin. Lynn brings to life three women from a wealthy New York family during the Gilded Age—Grandmother Junietta, Mother Sylvia, and Daughter Adelaide. In a time of crisis, life-changing decisions must be made, and there are conflicting views on how to move forward. In addition to the present day (1899) experience of Adelaide, it gives a look back into the lives of her mother and grandmother in their earlier years and gives insight into the experiences that have moulded them into the women they have come to be.
This is such a compelling story! It also teaches a most important life lesson for readers. How does trust in God fit into this scenario? What is it that makes life worth the living? How can these women find true joy and purpose in life, when it would seem that they might lose everything?
Truth shines forth in the wisdom spoken throughout this book. It spoke directly to me in my immediate circumstances. It helped me reflect on just what is important in life and what is not. It helped me realize that “change is a part of life. We have to accept it.” God has a plan, if we seek Him!
Complex family history? Yes. Drama during the opulent gilded age? Check. Wonderful romance? Absolutely. This newest from the wonderful Lynn Austin has everything a historical fiction devotee could ever ask for (and for those that are suffering from withdrawals from HBO's wonderful "The Gilded Age" can get their fix here!). Combining excellent historical detail with a character-driven story is what Lynn Austin always does best, and you cannot turn the pages fast enough to see what will happen. I loved all the women in this book, and it is interesting how they come to the realization of how their choices affected the lives they led. I also really liked the romance, it was just lovely. I cannot wait for this book to be published so I can own it in print! I will surely read this again and again! Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for this delightful new book. Certainly a new favorite! Ten stars!
All My Secrets by Lynn Austin flawlessly blends history, family dynamics and Christian values into this book. She is fast becoming one of my favourite authors to read. Her way of crafting characters that have depth, and real struggles is second to none. This is a beautifully written story about family secrets, the choices we make, and how we can see our priorities differently.
The story is set in New York in 1898 and follows 3 generations of women and their struggles and hopes. It shows how past secrets and mistakes can have an impact on what decisions you make today. I appreciate the way the author seamlessly intertwines themes of faith in the story without being overdone.
I would highly recommend reading this book. It was a very enjoyable read. Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
A powerful story spanning three generations of Stanhopes, about the secrets that have the power to entrap or to set free.
After the sudden death of Arthur Stanhope III, Adelaide finds herself torn in two different directions. The obligation to marry into money to maintain their lifestyle, or to take hold of the freedom to pave her own way. Her mother arranges stylish parties to attract eligible suitors, while her grandmother shows her the work that she has been doing with her charitable foundation, while sharing the secrets that have implications into the present.
A powerful story of grace and the power of God's redemption, set in the Gilded Age. Told from the perspectives of each of the three women, I loved how they grew closer through sharing their secrets and hopes for the future while helping Adelaide find her own path.
Howard was one of my favorite characters, a confident young man in all the ways that truly matter, with a heart for others, and a way of quietly pointing to the Lord. Junietta is also quite a character, I loved her honesty, wisdom, and genuine love for others.
Overall, a beautifully unfolding and compelling tale, with a powerful message of hope. A memorable read that will stick with me for years to come, highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Once again Lynn Austin has written a compelling, thoughtful, historical story of faith and hope: All My Secrets. Set in a time and culture when women had few rights to decide their own future, Adelaide must choose whether to follow her mother's traditional high society path or listen to her Mimi, who encourages her to follow her heart. The trouble is, blindly caught up in the rigid rules of wealthy society--even though they have lost their fortune--Adelaide doesn't know her heart. As the women of three generations reveal all their secrets, they find peace and strength in one another and in their faithful God.
Three women. Three generations. The men and the secrets that surround them... bind them... and free them. Set in New York City in the last half of the 19th century, the Stanhope women each long for a peace that seems unobtainable, given the mores of the time. The gilded age is a gilded cage to the women in this family. They leaned on their men and their wealth. But when the men died, so did the wealth. So did the dreams. And so did the social standing. Lynn Austin crafts a story of that search for meaning, for independence, for love. The historical setting shows Austin's meticulous research into the era, touching on topics such as slavery, suffrage, immigration, and the gaudy wealth of the social elite. Junietta, the matriarch, marches to her own beat, yet must navigate the expectations of others. She influences her daughter in law, Sylvia, and her granddaughter, Addie, showing them how to find their own God-created path in life. This was a book that I could not put down until the end. And even then, the characters lived rent free in my mind. I highly recommend "All My Secrets" by Lynn Austin.
I recently finished Lynn Austin’s "All My Secrets," and I really enjoyed it! Set against the backdrop of New York's Gilded Age, it unfolds the lives of the Stanhope women, who face a sudden twist of fate. With the unexpected passing of Arthur Stanhope III, Sylvia's husband, they find themselves in a financial bind. The will’s fine print leaves them out in the cold, as the estate is set to pass to the nearest male relative, Arthur’s estranged brother.
The family’s matriarch, Junietta, grounded in her unwavering faith, feels compelled to share her life’s turning points, inspiring the next in line to do the same. It’s through these heartfelt stories that Adelaide, the youngest of the clan, is given a sort of family compass. She’s left pondering her future in society - should she marry for status or wait for a love that's true?
Diving into Lynn Austin's world for the first time, I was genuinely captivated. Her writing has a way of pulling you in and keeping you hooked, leading to a few late nights because I just had to see where the Stanhope women’s journey would take them. What I appreciate most is how Austin seamlessly intertwines themes of faith into the narrative. It’s done with a light touch that adds depth without ever feeling overbearing.
My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
#AllMySecrets #NetGalley