Nicely written and suspenseful, took a bit to latch onto and I almost gave up on it but it gained momentum and became a story that I really enjoyed !

The Housekeeper’s Secret is a tale woven with mystery, romance, and history that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. Set against the backdrop of post-war England, the novel follows Alice, a housekeeper with a past as enigmatic as the manor she works in. When a mysterious letter arrives, secrets buried for decades begin to unravel, revealing a story of love, loss, and resilience.

The Housekeeper’s Secret by Iona Grey was an enjoyable read this summer. I enjoyed the characters and the different timelines. The story kept me guessing and curious about how it was going to turn out. Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for letting me preview this book. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review & all opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this historical romance more than I did. The synopsis grabbed my attention, and I thought this would be a compelling read.

Unfortunately, I found myself skimming the story. The characters didn't engage me, the romance between Kate and Jem fell flat and the mystery/suspense aspect wasn't entirely intriguing. The ending also felt a bit abrupt, and I would've loved more details about the characters current situation.

I actually enjoyed the alternate timeline and the multiple POVs. I think that worked well for the most part.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I am normally not a historical fiction fan but this book has changed my mind. What a fabulously written plot with suspense and romance. Looking forward to more from this author.

I am a total sucker for anything Gilded Age or GA adjacent. This book didn’t disappoint. Great characters that felt real and an interesting story.

This was really hard to get into, there was a lot of characters that felt like they were constantly changing perspectives along with time periods. If the reader likes Downtown Abbey, this book is for them though. I thought it would have more aspects of WW1, but it mostly dealt with the workers in this household.

Downton Abbey comes to life in the drama and politics of Coldwell Hall in northern England. This is the story of Kate Furniss, the respectable housekeeper of the estate who you'd never suspect has secrets of her own. When new footman, Jem, joins the house, his vibrant personality and engaging wit pry Kate out of her shell and she is captivated by him. She knows that it's forbidden to have relationships with members of the staff but things escalate quickly and soon Kate finds out that Jem has even more secrets of his own, many of which he plans to hide by working at Coldwell Hall.
There are lots of different characters to keep up with and the tale is told from many points of view. The timelines go back and forth between 1911 and WWII and there are lots of interesting twists and turns along the way. I had not read much about this time period in history and the author is very skilled in making you feel that you are there with these characters as they go about their daily lives. As war rages outside the country, the manor is a safe refuge for all until the secrets come to a head and serious decisions need to be made. Very well researched, a bit slow at times, but an enjoyable historical read.

The Housekeeper's Secret is a historical novel set during World War I. Kate Furness is working at the remote and troubled estate Coldwell Hall. She is younger than housekeepers usually are, and she hides a big secret. When a handsome new footman, Jem Arden, joins the staff, they connect ... but he has a secret and a mystery as well. As things unravel at the manor house, the story is told in two timelines - at the estate and also on the WWI war front.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction and am interested in this time period. I'm a great fan of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs and also love books about upstairs/downstairs life.

This is my first read by Iona Grey and I really enjoyed her evocative descriptions, like:

"Tipping back his head, he looked up at the sky and discovered that the darkness was spangled with stars, sprinkled like sugar across the heavens. At least they felt familiar, though it had been a while since he had seen them in such abundance. Their silent shimmer anchored him, reminding him of home." (eBook location 477).

Kate and Jem were both intriguing characters and I liked the way their secrets were slowly revealed. There is an old fashioned villain in the storyline and an element of danger lurking at the manor. It is definitely a grittier look at downstairs life - not a benevolent estate like Downton Abbey - but completely fascinating.

I recommend The Housekeeper's Secret for other readers who are interested in the 1910's and British manor house settings.

What a great book! Perfect for fans of "Downton Abbey," this novel delves into all the intricacies of the lives of servants in an English manor. Anyone who loved the TV series will probably recognize many of the terms and relationships in this novel, and that familiarity only heightens the appeal of the book. Even though most (if not all) of these roles no longer exist in every-day society, the themes of feeling trapped by one's station in life are still familiar and relevant today. I'd highly recommend it for that, if nothing else.

The love story is dramatic in the best way and also feels realistic, despite being sent more than a hundred years ago in a storyline that, on its surface, feels far removed from so many people's realities now. The rich detail of the manor, the requirements of servants, and everything else were incredibly engaging.

The only reason I didn't give this a full five stars was because the book wrapped up much too quickly. I really think it could have benefited from another one or two chapters to give all the characters and their storylines the same even, measured pace they'd had all throughout the novel. Iona Grey did such a fantastic job teasing out the possibility of reunion, but the speed at the end sort of shakes up that pace in a jarring way.

Otherwise, lovely! Something I'll absolutely recommend to reader friends in the future.

🏠 Title: The Housekeeper's Secret
Author: Iona Grey 🏠

♨️ Synopsis:

Set against the backdrop of World War I, this novel spans several years before and after the conflict, immersing readers in the haunting atmosphere of Coldwell Hall. The hall itself feels like a living, breathing character, with its dark and foreboding presence casting a shadow over every event. The heart of the story is Kate Furniss, the enigmatic housekeeper has a mysterious past. Her life at Coldwell Hall is disrupted by the arrival of Jem Arden with his own heavy burdens and secrets. Both of their lives are about to change, but for better or worse? ♨️

🫣 My opinions:

The novel excels in creating an atmospheric setting, with Coldwell Hall providing a gothic backdrop that adds depth to the story. Fans of Downton Abbey will likely draw parallels between the characters here and those in the beloved series, though this novel carries a darker, more sinister tone.

While the narrative offers rich, immersive detail, it does suffer from a slow pace and a longer-than-necessary length. However, this is my personal opinion. I would have enjoyed it more at a faster pace. 🫣

I loved The Glittering Hour by this author. I still think about it years after reading it. I knew I wanted to read more by this author and I was so happy to see a new book from Iona Grey. I was really disappointed when this book just wouldn't keep my attention. I had really high hopes for it and it let me down. However, I can't wait for more from this author!

Set in a remote Edwardian manor, The Housekeeper’s Secret follows Kate, a young housekeeper with a hidden past, and Jem, a mysterious footman on a quest for answers about his missing brother. Their undeniable attraction complicates the suspenseful plot, which alternates between the summer of 1911 and letters from the World War I trenches. The author masterfully builds tension, leading to a satisfying conclusion, though some villains feel one-dimensional. Overall, it’s an absorbing and well-paced read with intriguing insights into Edwardian life.

The Housekeepers Secret by Iona Grey, This is a well research historical fiction novel. It starts with the housekeeper “Kate “and the other servants living in a ramshackle falling down a state in the newly hired footman gym. Kate and Jim find interest in each other but keep their distance they’re both hiding secrets Jim is trying to find out what happened to his brother who he believes to be dead and she is running from her past. Then the Lord of the Manor dies time moves on and it’s World War I. We’ve then follow an anonymous woman aiding the war effort and Jim who is a soldier and when time drags Jim writes letters to Kate. They will come together again working for Barronette Hyde Eliza Abi Joseph and others are there as well I would like to say I absolutely loved this book but I only found it OK and it took me a while to finish it did seem the closer it got to the end especially in the winter the story became much better I did like the ending and do recommend this story. I have seen other reviewer say if you like Dowton Abbey you will like this book and I definitely agree. Before I end this review I want to say the writing is great the research is awesome but more than once I felt jolted out of the story and found it hard to keep reading but I do recommend it as I think most will enjoy this book.#NetGalley, #SaintMartinsPress, #IonaGrey, #TheHousekeepersSecret,

This book took me back to some of my favorite historical romances from many years ago, and I was completely wrapped up in the world of Coldwell Hall from the very start. Kate and Jem both have secrets that are being kept from those that serve with them, and the owners of the residence have secrets of their own.

I loved the many layers that unfolded in this novel. We have the mystery of Jem's brother's disappearance and how Henderson and Hyde might have been involved. Kate's story and how she ended up at Coldwell Hall and how does Miss Dunn know her (does she know her?) The dual timeline with Jem and Joseph during the war was also intriguing, and Jem's writing reveals events bit-by-bit, too. The overall effect is that of a sweeping romance with plenty of mystery and intrigue to make it really memorable.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC of The Housekeeper's Secret by Iona Grey. The opinions in this review are my own.

3.75 rounded up to 4.

This is a Downton Abby-esque/Upstairs/Downstairs historical fiction read that was well-written and which immersed the reader in the 1910s in England and France.

The story is told primarily from two points of view, although we see the perspectives of a couple of maids as well. The plot unfolds through Kate’s a housekeeper at an old British manor, and Jem’s, a former footman turned WWI soldier, perspectives - sometimes we see both viewpoints in the same chapter but it is clear to the reader whose voice is whom. Jem’s perspective includes the use of letters which I enjoyed.

Both Kate and Jem are likeable characters and the secondary characters, including a villainous valet and a grumpy cook, round out the story well. There is mystery, secrets, romance and betrayal, culminating in a satisfying ending. I would note that I did find the story to be slow-paced at times, particularly in the beginning, and was quite character-driven until the pacing picked up closer to the end of the novel. Overall, I thought this enjoyable and well-done.

A solid historical fiction read that I believe historical fiction lovers, particularly of character-driven stories, will enjoy!

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

A beautiful and twisting historical fiction - part romance, part mystery. Couldn't put this one down! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

This book is the ultimate slow burn. Kate and Jem carry the story, however you will have to be willing to make it to the last 100 pages before things start to pick up and get good. That is not to say that the rest of the story is not fun to read but everything is really mellow until you get close to the end. I will say I didn’t love the flashbacks. I felt like they were not always in the right place and sometimes they would take me out of the story. That being said the last 100 pages or so make this book worthwhile and tie everything together very nicely.
Thank you so to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I still remember where I was when I read The Glittering Hour, so I was so excited to see that she had written another one. This book is heartbreaking and tender. The comp to Downton Abbey is accurate. I loved how the author created the dual timelines here - between 1911 and the trenches of WWI. It created such a compelling story and mystery. I loved the character of Kate and how the reader is slowly introduced to her. I also liked how Jem's parts had a male narrator, which captured the war in such brutally honest ways. I think this book brilliantly explored how secrets and power between house staff created such intricate dynamics. I was invested in Kate's secret, Jem's secret, and the other secrets present and how they weaved together to create this compelling story. The narrators are British, which added such depth to the characters. The performances were excellent.

The Housekeeper’s Secret was a story of heartache and forbidden love. Taking place in 1911 and 1916. Kate Furniss is the housekeeper at Coldwell Hall, A small skeleton staff takes care of the aged Baronet Sir Henry Hyde, the house is fast fading into dilapidation. Then Sir Henry’s son arrives and with him the footman Jem Arden. Jem fascinates Kate but as an unmarried housekeeper in Edwardian England, her reputation is sacrosanct. Jem is not who he seems, He is there to investigate what happened to his younger brother. Coldwell Hall holds it’s secrets close. Told between 1911 and 1916, the mystery of what happened at Coldwell Hall and what happened to Kate kept me intrigued. I love the Edwardian era with the start of the great decline of the country houses and the opulent way of life of the aristocracy. The story of Jem and Kate and the obstacles they overcame kept me entertained and reading through the night.

Thanks to Negalley, the publisher St, Martin’s Press and the author for the chance to read and reivew this ARC.