For people who like Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey, this book will probably appeal to you. Set in the time period of WWI, the reader meets the characters of an isolated home in England (both the family and the staff). One of the main characters, the house keeper, harbors a secret about who she really is, the other main character, a recently hired servant, is looking for clues to his brother's disappearance. The book is a really slow read, I struggled with it but eventually finished it. I did find the parts involving the damage inflicted on the soldiers during the war interesting. I will not be recommending this book.

This was a hard book to get through. It was very slow. There were SO many characters, it was hard to keep track of who was who. When the point of view changed, the chapters were not labeled it was very confusing. I muddled through and found it very predictable. I enjoyed the historical fiction throughout the book, but overall, not for me.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

The story transports readers to two different eras weaving the destinies of two different characters. As the past collides with the present, the story explores love and sacrifice. I think the two eras are interwoven seamlessly, but the characters often react in predictable ways, which took away from my love of the plot as a whole.

This was one of the slowest books I have ever read which made it hard to get through. The multiple points of view and changing timeline was not labeled making it hard to keep up. Gem, the male main character was well written and quite likeable. Outside of Gem I didn’t much care for the other characters. The relationship between Kate and Gem needed to have had more time to grow. For a romance novel the romance felt lacking. I like the setting of England during WW1 and had the book not bounce around in time and only stayed in the WW1 era I think I would have liked the book more.

Withholding review due to the SMP Review Boycott. I cannot in good consciousness review this book. Sorry

I love reading historical fiction and WWI stories are one I haven’t really explored yet, so I was looking forward to this.

The writing style didn’t grip me, and there were so many characters that I felt lost often. The plot plodded along very slowly and I put this down several times before being able to finish it.

I would definitely try more of the author’s work, but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.



Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC

If you dig Downton Abbey, this book will likely push all of your buttons. (It was hard not to image the characters in the book looking like the ones on the show!) However, this book is focused solely on the experience of the servants.

This book starts off ROUGH, which is a shame because that may turn off some readers. A bunch of people come to visit the manor and you're tasked with keeping a long list of servants straight as well as all the visiting lords and ladies. Ironically, all of the lords and ladies leave almost immediately. (So why did we need to learn all those names? Why not a more gentle intro to the staff?)

Once all that initial bluster is done, the book slows down and begins to focus on the growing love story between Kate and Jem. It's a nicely done, believable slow burn. I wasn't loving all of the asides to explore "Jem's secret mission," but that ties in more toward the end of the story and makes more sense.

That's kind of a trend for this whole book -- it grows stronger the further you get into it (which seems like a potential editing problem.) As the story grows more complex, the stakes get higher and it's easy to become invested in the future of these characters. While the flash-forwards to WWI don't add much to the plot earlier in the book, they suddenly start to make sense and the whole story rounds out.

Overally, a great story, just a wee bit of an uneven read for me personally. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, dnf at around 20%. Yes, there was an ominous feeling and I did feel as though I was kept on my toes, but I was so bored the whole time. The story felt as though it was going nowhere from either perspective. Way too many characters were introduced in the first like 5% of the book to keep up. I found myself very confused.

I wanted to love this book so bad. I really did. However, that was just not the case.

"Iona Grey's 'The Housekeeper’s Secret' is an engaging historical novel situated in the desolate moors of Northern England. The plot is centered around Coldwell Hall, where the protagonist, Kate Furniss, has upheld her professional demeanor as a housekeeper for five years. The summer of 1911 sees the introduction of Jem Arden, a cryptic footman whose presence introduces complex interactions among the household's staff. The narrative transitions between the final summer of the Edwardian Age and the battlefields of World War I, uncovering a narrative steeped in obligation, passion, and subterfuge.

The book is noted for its meticulous research and eloquent prose, offering a compelling read that is especially recommended for enthusiasts of historical fiction and romantic narratives. The interplay of illicit romance and concealed truths, set against a vividly depicted backdrop, distinguishes the novel as an exceptional work.

To summarize, 'The Housekeeper’s Secret' stands out for its intricate historical insights, emotional depth, and captivating narrative, making it a highly recommended book for readers who appreciate these qualities."

Mrs. Furniss (Kate) has a very large secret to keep but she believes that taking a position in a neglected Manor house far from London society will keep her safe. It's been nine years and so far, no one is aware of her past but things change when a stranger named Jem arrives seeking employment. Jem also has secrets of his own; one of which concerns a young boy who went "missing" from the estate's grounds years before. As Jem tries to win Kate's affections to further his own investigation, he begins to realize that she is much more than just another piece on his chessboard and he has in fact fallen in love with her.

Told in time alternating chapters written by Jem (as his final farewell letter while he is facing death in the trenches of WWI) and the daily life at the mansion written by Kate gives readers their individual perspectives on their situations. With plenty of "downstairs" and "upstairs" drama readers will want to savor these characters long after the novel is finished.

I did feel that the ending was rushed, the epilogue jumps two years into the future, which left us hanging as to what actually occurred during that time gap. A bit too neatly wrapped up in the end for the "family" that has forged itself from those that suffered the most while at the manor house. If not for that neatly packaged ending, I would have given this a 5 star rating.

I could not get into this book at all - it was just too slow moving for me so I stopped about ¼ of the way through. Life is too short to read books I don't enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction set in England, early 1900's. Mystery, secrets, love and not very much reference to war, casualties, etc. Great mix.

This one started slow for me, and took me a few times to get past a page or two. There is a LOT going on in the beginning, which had me a bit confused. But by about a quarter of the way through the intrigue of both Kate and Jem's pasts had me interested. Descriptions were fabulous, and I could have actually done with even more suspicion around the happenings through the manor's history.

From the servant's points of view, this was really an interesting read, and I found myself imagining how life must have been for those serving in that era. Such rules around propriety and image - fascinating.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Iona Grey for the arc.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. If you enjoyed the Downton Abbey tv series, then you might be equally enthralled with this book which focuses on the servants in a dilapidated manor house in the boonies where not everyone is as they seem. Lots of secrets abound and some are discovered which makes it a dangerous place to be at times. I really liked the main two characaters who had heart. The back and forth nature of the book got in my way at times when it flipped before I wanted it to, but overall, a good read.

This was definitely a good read for those who love suspense and mystery.

The setting was eery at times which is exactly what you’d want with a twist of the historical elementals. It really played well together! 3.2

I struggled a lot with this book. It felt like it moved SO slow and it also took a long time for me to feel interested in it. Eventually, I did fall in love with Jem and Kate, but I feel like this book could’ve been much shorter.

historical fiction Author of The Glittering Hour is back with a new novel. This book starts off slow setting up the story and becoming familiar with the multiple POVs and quickly sucks you into this historical world. It definitely is giving Downton Abbey, Belgravia, Upstairs/Downstairs vibes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Iona Grey, and St. Martin’s Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars. I wish I had liked this one more but the jigsaw puzzle style of storytelling and the moving timelines were just too much for me. Hard to follow and a slow pace.

I am a sucker for historical romance novels. This particular one was a bit predictable, but the romance was still sweet enough to keep pulling me in.

In The Housekeeper's Secret two servants, both with secret pasts, fall in love in the days before World War I, only to be torn apart by a vindictive villain — I eat that kind of thing up. You know how it ends, because it is a romance novel after all, but you can't help but root for Kate and Jem anyway. I also learned some things about downstairs life in pre-World War I England that I did not pick up on from my brief stint trying to watch Downton Abbey, so that's a bonus.

If you want to settle in with a historical fiction read that feels comforting in its familiarity, this is for you. Groundbreaking it is not, but it's moving nonetheless.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Iona Grey's "The Housekeeper’s Secret" transports readers to the cusp of WWI in a tale rich with historical romance. The narrative is skillfully crafted, with well-developed characters that make the story resonate deeply. Though the conclusion seemed to arrive swiftly, it was gratifying to witness the resolution of various subplots. Set in the atmospheric Coldwell Manor, which exudes a hauntingly beautiful quality reminiscent of an untended Downton Abbey, the setting is vividly brought to life. The romance between Kate and Jem is compelling, drawing readers in despite the narrative's shifts in perspective and timeline. A blend of romance, mystery, and suspense ensures that this novel keeps you engaged, eager to uncover the fate of its characters.