Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, for the free copy for review.

In a world fraught with turmoil, where the specters of war loom large, two souls—Kate, a housekeeper fleeing the clutches of an abusive marriage, and Jem, a man haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his brother—find themselves on a collision course with destiny. Their individual quests for survival and truth intertwine, igniting a passionate love that threatens to unravel under the weight of their hidden secrets. Will their love triumph over the shadows of their pasts, or will an enigmatic adversary, who appears to hold the keys to their darkest truths, tear them apart?

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Coldwell Hall, nestled in the secluded woods of Derbyshire, this historical fiction immerses readers in a world where the grandeur of the manor contrasts sharply with the quiet struggles of its few inhabitants. The narrative artfully explores not just the mundane rhythms of daily life but also delves deep into the dreams, relationships, and fears of its characters, inviting readers to forge a connection with them.

The story's intricate structure, featuring interchanging timelines and multiple points of view, unfolds like a graceful dance, propelling the plot forward with an effortless rhythm. At no point does the narrative falter; Kate's perspective is particularly compelling, her emotions radiating with authenticity even as she masks her pain. Meanwhile, Jem's letters paint a vivid portrait of his tumultuous journey—a quest for truth interwoven with regret and an unwavering love for Kate.

With a rich tapestry of drama and a poignant separation, the buildup to the conclusion leaves readers fervently rooting for Kate and Jem. The central question lingers: Will they ultimately find their way back to each other amidst the chaos?

Pairing the book with the audiobook elevates the experience to new heights. Shakira Shute's portrayal of Kate infuses the narrative with an added layer of dread, particularly in the more harrowing scenes. Raphael Corkhill breathes life into Jem, his narration encapsulating the protagonist’s anger and regret with striking clarity. The seamless interplay of their voices enhances the overall reading and listening experience, showcasing an exceptional production.

For enthusiasts of historical romance, who crave vivid settings, complex characters, and a love story tested by adversity, this novel is a must-read.

I loved how the characters were written and the two main protagonists Jem and Mrs Furtness stayed with me after I finished the book. It was an eclectic cast of many but not too difficult to keep straight including two villains I loved hating.

The one drawback to my reading experience was the constant use of parentheses disrupting the flow of the story and pulling me out of rhythm. I don’t know if the editing process will alter this aspect but I’m mentioning it because it occurred on nearly every page diminishing my experience. Otherwise, I loved the book!

Historical fiction with multiple POVs is one of my favorite genres. However this one fell flat for me for several reasons. Chiefly, I really don’t like the miscommunication trope. And this one had a LOT of miscommunication. So many times a character would be about to tell another character something vitally important but would be interrupted or change their mind. I really don’t like that trope, and to have it over and over in the same book was frustrating.

I also felt like the plot wasn’t paced well. It progressed very slowly until the last two or three chapters and then so much happened so fast that I felt like I was missing things.

That being said, I loved the setting. The downstairs of an English manor house on the cusp of WWI offered plenty of opportunity for intrigue, romance, and petty tyranny. The characters were very likable and definitely made me root for them. I also liked how the timeline flipped back and forth between WWI and the years leading up to it. And despite the slowness of the plot, it really was very interesting. I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars for this one, but the amount of miscommunication made me settle in three.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy of this book.

I am really sorry but I had to DFN this book. I requested it because I loved Iona Grey's previous work, The Glittering Hours, but this one had zero appeal. Toonmaby characters with little to no appeal and the pace was awfully slow. I am very sorry.

I will not rate it on Goodreads.

This beautifully written historical mystery is set in both the beginning of the 20th century and the harsh reality of World War One. The Housekeeper's Secret is a dual timeline novel that explores different social classes living in a large manor home. Kate Furniss, the housekeeper with a past runs into Jem Arden, a mysterious footman, and readers will be entranced with their stories. A large cast of engaging characters will keep readers on their toes as they enter the saga Coldwell. Fans of Downton Abbey and period fiction will be delighted by this romantic narrative filled with juicy secrets.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. I did DNF at 30% as the pacing and atmospheric nature of the story are not for me at this moment.

This book is the story of Jem and Kate, two staff at the Coldwell residence. There is mystery and romance that is slowly unfolding as the book goes on. I think this would be a great book for anyone who enjoys a book that is a bit slower paced and can keep up with the changing viewpoints.

I did really enjoy the writing, I think Iona Grey has a wonderful mastery of words and how to use them. It was beautiful language without veering into purple prose territory. Right now, this book isn't for me but I think this would be an amazing fall/winter read and I will likely come back to it in those seasons.

The action of the novel takes place in England in the years 1911–1916 and follows the fate of servants, maids, cooks and footman of the Edwardian era.

They came to Coldwell for different reasons.

Kate Furniss found this remote place to hide from her husband. She changed her name and became a housewife. It seemed like she would be safe here, but the changes at Coldwell Halls turned everything in the opposite direction.

Jem Arden has come to the Coldwell to learn more about his missing brother, who disappeared during an Indian party held at Coldwell Hall. However, Jem did not expect to be intrigued from day one by the housekeeper, Mrs. Kate Furniss.

The two main protagonists surrounded by other impressive characters from the Edwardian era make this story a fascinating read.

The beginning was a bit confusing, with many characters interacting with one another at once. But as I got to know each person, it became clear that they all played an important role in the story. They all fought under the unfaithful eye of high society, and especially under the eye of one villain, Frederick Henderson, Randolph Hyde's valet.

This was a story about finding peace, redemption, and unexpected love. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to those of you who enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you @StMartinsPress for sharing this book with me. It was a pleasure to read it.

Review of The Housekeeper’s Secret by Iona Grey

The Housekeeper’s Secret is a charming blend of historical fiction and romance, perfect for fans of Downton Abbey. The story is set in a beautifully crafted historical backdrop, with a tender and nuanced romance that adds depth to the narrative. Iona Grey captures the essence of the period, making the characters and setting come alive. If you enjoy a good historical romance, this book is definitely worth a read.

The Housekeeper's Secret is a beautifully written book about the staff who keep Coldwell Hall running in the years just before WWI. Mrs. Furniss, the beautiful and reserved housekeeper, has closely-guarded secrets that make finding love impossible. Her life changes when she meets Jem, the new footman. Jem is on a quest to find his younger brother, who disappeared from a house-party there a decade earlier. The two main characters develop a connection, but their forbidden romance seems destined to fail. After a bit of a slow start, I was able to settle in as the narrative slowly unfolded, and the secrets were revealed. There are multiple points of view throughout the novel, including letters written from the battlefields of France. The author does a tremendous job of bringing the time period to life and showing modern readers what a life in service was like. I really enjoyed all of the historical details and the gorgeous writing. I listened to part of the book on audio, and I highly recommend the audiobook as well--the narrators were fantastic and brought each charater to life with different accents. Recommended to Downton Abbey fans and readers of Kate Morton's books. Thanks so much to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and the author, Iona Grey, for the librarian preview copy!

"The Housekeeper's Secret" by Iona Grey is a fascinating read! It's like diving into a world full of hidden stories and unexpected twists. The characters feel so real, and the mystery keeps you hooked till the very end. If you love historical fiction with a touch of romance, this book is for you!

The ending was the best part.

So I actually read the blurb for this book and was interested to actually read it. Now I never read the blurbs of books, so if I read one and find something interesting, that's telling you something. However, I was a little disappointed by this one. I wasn't pulled into the story. It just seemed to drag on and was a little hard to follow what was happening, especially with all the characters and timeline jumps. I really didn't start getting into the story until maybe three chapters to the end. And only then did I actually start enjoying the book. The ending was good, but the chapters leading up to it just didn't hold my interest unfortunately.

Ahhhhh this was just such a great read. I just didn't want this book to end and I was sad to turn the last page. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

I was excited to read this historical mystery, but it took me at least 100 pages to really get into the story. The beginning letter from the trenches was confusing, and I really only found out during the last few chapters how the timeline was supposed to be.

I like historical mysteries, but this one was way too long…it dragged out too much. There was an incredible amount of “filler” or “fluff”. All along I felt that the book should end, and I would see that there were massive amounts of pages yet to be read. I persevered and continued reading, though I wanted to stop many times, since everything moved so very slowly. Actually, many parts were just plain boring.

Ms. Grey is a brilliant writer, and this book is well written, however there was too much back and forth, which did not always work. It required some going back to read and understand, and some of the “cliffhangers” left one wondering what really happened. I also did not appreciate using the F word, which thankfully was not overused, and it did not add anything to the story.

I am so glad that the 3 bad people were gone by the end. They were very stressful characters to bear.

I am also happy that there was a halfway happy ending. After 357 pages you want something happy to end the story with.

All in all, I have to repeat what I said to a friend who asked me if I was enjoying this book : “Yes, but it does not keep me on the edge of my seat”

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for making an advance reader’s copy available for me to read and post a personal review.

This was not an entirely enjoyable read for me. I never connected with the book. I was 30% in and still had very little idea what was going on. I expected a Downton Abbey sort of book, but just ended up confused.

I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! Historical romance with some mystery elements, I couldn’t get enough! I fell in love with the characters and the story and I was really happy with how it ended! Definitely will be recommending this one!

The Housekeeper's Secret slowly but surely draws you in to the mystery of the housekeeper's secret at Coldwell Hall.

The story is told in dual time

It is the 1900's and on the verge of WWI .

We meet Kate, the housekeeper and Jem the newly hired man.

Both of them are hiding multiple secrets and when circumstances lead to the son of the manor taking over , (nasty man) these secrets are about to be discovered.

Iona Grey does a fantastic job of letting the reader know what it was like to live in that time frame with none of the necessities that we take for granted: no indoor plumbing, no central heat.

I loved the concept of upstairs/downstairs along with those we love to sneer at and those we love to cheer on.

The Housekeeper's Secret is a compelling and captivating read that was hard to put to down.

Highly recommend you get your copy, settle in and go back in time for a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Housekeeper's Secret.

I very rarely DNF a book, especially if it’s one that’s been sent as an ARC. Unfortunately I found this book extremely difficult to follow and get a grasp on the characters. There were too many people introduced too quickly and the multiple POV changes had me constantly going back and forth to reread to try and decipher what was happening. Got about 20% in and had to give up. Sad because the description sounded quite interesting!

A well-written historical fiction with a little mystery and little romance in the mix. The author does a beautiful job in revealing the story bit by bit with alternating perspectives in both character and time. Very enjoyable!

This is the first book I read by Iona Grey. I liked it. It was not what I was expecting but in a good way. I enjoyed author's voice and plot twists.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC.

The past, the present, secrets, duty, and romance. The Housekeeper's Secret is a historical fiction/romance book that takes place between the years of 1911 to 1919.

This is a book that has me torn over my rating. I found this book to be slow moving at times and it took some time for me to become engaged in the plot. I struggle with slow books but powered on and I am glad that I did.

I loved the atmosphere, setting, and sense of time in this book. Coldwell Hall is in the moors of northern England. I could feel the wind and the chill in the air. Plus, the servants did back breaking work. They spend their days scrubbing, cleaning, cooking, laundry, and doing as they are told. It's exhausting just thinking about it. It's not an easy life and I thought Iona Grey did a great job depicting their duties and lives.

Kate Furniss has a secret and works as a housekeeper. Jem Arden, recently hired as a footman, has secrets as well. As they grapple with their desire, they also keep their individual secrets close and hidden.

This book is told in alternating timelines and shows the changes in people, lives, the world, war, and progress. People live, people die, people move on, and people love.

I had both the book and audiobook versions of The Housekeeper's Secret. I thought the narration of the audiobook was very nicely done and did a great job bringing the book to life.

Overall, an engaging story with vivid descriptions of life of not only servants but of the main characters of Kate and Jem. Fans of historical romance will enjoy this one.

As I mentioned above, I loved the atmosphere and setting of this book. The author did a tremendous job setting the stage for this book. As I struggle with slowness in books, at times I felt this book was a little long and I wanted to give it a little nudge to move things along. That is my personal preference.

Well written and atmospheric.