Three generations of women bond while working to figure out their future after Arthur Stanhope III's untimely death and unfortunate will. Junietta Stanhope, mother of Arther the third and wife of Arthur the second is matriarch of the family and head of the Stanhope Charitable Foundation. She recalls and shares her life experiences and encourages the women to look for a life with purpose, not just riches. Sylvia Stanhope, wife of Arthur Stanhope III, cannot lose everything she has ever known again and works to find a way to keep their mansion and current way of life. Adalaide Stanhope, daughter of Arther and Sylvia, loves her mother and Mimi Juni (as she calls Junietta) and is stuck in the middle, confused about her future prospects and decisions.

These women navigate their current trials while sharing their past ones in a multiple POV, time hop novel that highlights strong women and the struggles women faced in the late 1890s. Each woman, especially of their social standing, is expected to represent their family and live a certain way, act a certain way. Each woman in this narrative, both follows those expectations and pushes against them. Each woman travels through their own journey of self-discovery. Unique women, unique stories, unique purpose, Empowering plot.

It has been a while since I read Lynn Austin, and I am overjoyed to be reunited to her writing. This book took me on a journey, as I rooted for each woman as she struggled and triumphed. I shook my head when they made their mistakes and wiped a tear at their redemption. All my Secrets is beautifully written with a strong and inspiring message of our power to create our own path: a path that He who created us, set before us.

Scripture this book brought to mind:

Jeremiah 29: 11 " 'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' "

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance or us to do."

And my personal takeaway is to seek His will for my life and not let others dictate the path that I am on. (My mom's favorite verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.")

All My Secrets by Lynn Austin was my first book that I had the pleasure of reading by this author. I listened to the audiobook of All My Secrets that was well narrated by Sarah Zimmerman. All My Secrets explored the lives and relationships of the three women of the Stanhope family.that were born into three different generations There was Junietta, the oldest of the three and the matriarch of the family. Junietta who was getting on in years was a widow. She was very involved in her charity work that had been set up through the foundation she created and ran. Junietta’s charities catered to others that were less fortunate than herself. The charities she supported were varied. Junietta had also designated safe places of refuge for needy women and children. She was also a grandmother and mother-in-law. Sylvia had married Junietta’s son, Arthur Stanhope III or A.B., as he preferred to be called and was a mother to three daughters who were all married except for the youngest, Adelaide or Addie as her grandmother liked to call her. Adelaide was the youngest of Sylvia’s three daughters. She led a privileged life and was close to both her mother and grandmother. All three of the Stanhope women were strong, resilient, intelligent and caring. When an unexpected tragedy occurred, their lives were altered in a way they never could have imagined possible. All My Secrets was set in the early 1900’s in New York City among the most influential and richest people in society during that time.

In 1898, Arthur Stanhope III or A.B. died way before his time. He suffered a most premature death while his wife, Sylvia and youngest daughter, Addie, were vacationing at their summer home in posh Newport, Rhode Island. The Stanhope women took the news very badly. After A. B. was laid to rest in the family plot, the family’s troubles first began. An attorney was assigned to read his will and explain the details that the will stated. The attorney came to the Stanhope residence. Junietta, Sylvia and Addie learned that there were stipulations in the will that would have to be followed and that would leave the Stanhope women with little to no income. The will dictated that the Stanhope fortune which included the Stanhope business and summer home in Newport be awarded to the next male Stanhope heir. This stipulation had been made by Authur I and it had never been changed. Sylvia and Addie were left with only their home in New York, A.B.’s yacht and a small stipend. With no revenue coming in from the Stanhope business, it would be just a matter of time before Sylvia would be forced to sell the house and that her friends would discover that she and Addie were broke. Sylvia knew that she had an obligation to Addie. She had to find her a suitable and rich husband before their status and reputation was discovered and disclosed. Sylvia was determined to make this happen. It would secure Addie’s place in society and her lifestyle. This being the world that Addie was meant to live in, Sylvia would do everything in her power to make it happen for her daughter. Junietta, though, had other ideas for Addie. She felt that Addie should be allowed to chose the life she wanted to live. Junietta wanted Addie to have the chance to fall in love with the man of her dreams.

Addie understood why Sylvia was determined to host a dinner and invite eligible and well suited men for her. Her mother was going to do whatever she could to ensure that Addie could continue to live the life she was born into. If nothing had changed in their lives, Addie would have attended dinners and dances with the intention of finding a rich husband. Of course, Addie and her mother realized that they had to wait the customary number of months for the mourning period to be over before her mother’s plans could be put into motion. Addie was receiving mixed messages from her mother and grandmother. Who should she believe? The advice that Addie was getting from the two most important people in her life was confusing and perplexing.

During this time, Junietta began telling Addie stories about her life that Addie had never heard before. Junietta told Addie about secrets she had kept to herself her whole life. After Addie learned about her grandmother’s past she was curious about her own mother’s life before she met her father. Sylvia revealed long buried secrets, as well from her past to Addie and to Junietta.. The secrets that both women had buried deep inside themselves were finally revealed. Those confessions helped Addie discover what was important for her and who she wanted to be. She was so glad to have learned about the women her mother and grandmother had been and how their decisions shaped them into the women they were now. Letting go of those secrets also allowed Sylvia and Junietta to free themselves of the heavy burdens and feelings of guilt they had been carrying within themselves for way too long.

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of All My Secrets by Lynn Austin. It allowed me to learn so much about Junietta’s and Sylvia’s character and integrity as they confessed and admitted to the past secrets they had harbored all those years. It was evident, that all Junietta and Sylvia really wanted was for Addie to live the best possible life she could. Both women, poured their hearts out and divulged all that they had kept to themselves all these years. They expressed their feelings, the fears they experienced, the disappointments they endured and the decisions they were forced to make over the course of their lives. All My secrets was about grief, loss, forgivable sins, choices, and charity. It was told through the POV of each of the three Stanhope women. Lynn Austin expertly wove the past and present together through the memories both Junietta and Sylvia shared with Addie, the actions they took and the discoveries they made. All My Secrets was one of my favorite books so far this year. It was so well written and reflected the era it was written in so authentically. I really enjoyed All My Secrets by Lynn Austin and recommend it very highly.

Thank you to Recorded Books for allowing me to listen to All My Secrets by Lynn Austin through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and getting a glimpse into a family dynamic in this time period, especially one made up of women. It's not common that people come to understand how dire times could be for women before we gained more rights in the 1900s and getting that insight is valuable. As a historian, I appreciated the bits of research that were included in this novel to gain the aforementioned insights. There was nothing too in-depth when it came to that. There was an overarching narrative of finding love, grace, and forgiveness and I really enjoyed it. It was not a heavy novel nor was the author hammering us with Biblical content, which sometimes I feel occurs in Christian novels and can leave a bad taste. It was mentioned and an important part of the character arcs for the women's stories and, again, very appreciated. I would definitely recommend this to friends and family. This was a really sweet story and left me feeling light and happy at the end of a very long and stressful week. It was just the book I needed! :)

All My Secrets, Lynn Austin’s latest novel, reminded me that she’s a queen of Christian historical fiction. She combines compelling characters, a strong sense of place, and issues of faith to create must-read stories. I really appreciated the audiobook narrated by Sarah Zimmerman.

While many of her books take place in times of war and hardship, All My Secrets is set in the opulence of Gilded Age (1898) New York City. But, as we know, wealth does not ensure perfect, trouble-free lives and the Stanhope family is no exception. The plot features three generations of Stanhope women as each deals with her family of origin, past choices and losses, current decisions, and future hopes and dreams.

I especially enjoyed that using wealth to fund charitable causes that assist people was an important theme. I’ve been involved in philanthropy on personal and professional levels and have witnessed the impact for both givers and receivers. It was also great that women’s suffrage gets mentioned as well.

Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for access to the audiobook. This story will stay with me for quite some time.

This audio version of All My Secrets was very good. I very much enjoyed the book and the reader. The plot was great; the book very much held my interest and I am not usually a reader of historical fiction. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I highly this recommend this book to any reader of fiction regardless of your usual genre. I will definitely look for more books by Lynn Austin!

Once again Lynn Austin expertly swept me away in her tale with wonderful characters that had me laughing out loud one moment and sobbing a second later. A beautiful story that made me ponder the values of life, and a happy ending that will left me sighing with satisfaction.

I love Lynn Austin’s writing style and her characters. However, All My Secrets was a little difficult to get into it. The story is interesting, but it kind of fell flat. I just felt like something is missing and I cannot put my finger on it. Overall is a lovely story, but I never truly engaged with it as a reader.

I've read a few of Lynn Austin's books, but WOW, none of them have hit quite like this one! Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an audiobook to read and review.

All My Secrets is a twisting, winding historical fiction story that tells the stories 3 generations of women who come to a crossroads together and need to reflect on their pasts and share their secrets in order to move forward and come together. But more than that, this fictional story is one of the best presentations of Gospel grace I've ever read!

At one point, a woman has a baby out of wedlock, and has a conversation with a priest about forgiveness and grace after such a sin that continues to have consequences--forgiveness doesn't make one a virgin again even if Christ looks upon us as pure in heart through our faith and grace. And what Austin wrote as the priest's response is an almost exact conversation I had with my husband before we were dating when I asked him the same question. After reading that portion of the book, I was so awestruck! Austin wrote that scene, and more like it afterwards, with such beauty, truth, and excellent storytelling.

The drama is believable! The characters are believable! I don't know how she wrote this so well! She ticks all the boxes!

The narration is wonderful. I enjoyed reading via audio.

I want to recommend this book shouting from the rooftops!

This book was such a beautiful depiction of historical women may have pushed back against the system, found ways to survive and thrive. I appreciate how the author handled adoption in the context of the mid-to-late 1800s as well as how women had limited power and were required to be creative to manage.

I enjoyed this book very much

This is a story about three generations of women within the same family set during the Gilded Age which quickly drew me in and kept me hooked to the very end. Very rich in detail blending history, family dynamics, and the Christian faith. One of my favorite books I've read this year! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel, set during the gilded age, was about three generations of women. A grandmother, her daughter-in-law and her granddaughter.

Each of them shared parts of their lives and loves.

One of the women had a moment where she humbly repented and came to the Lord. Her life throughout the story showed the fruits of that moment and how God used her to teach others wisely. I loved that.

I love how God works throughout our life, even when we don’t see it.

This was another wonderful read from author Lynn Austin. I highly recommend it!

All of my Secrets by Lynn Austin was profoundly impactful for me. Told from the perspective of three women, Junietta, Sylvia, and Addy. Three generations of women who have been deeply impacted, molded, and shaped by the world they live in and the men who have built that world. Mimi Junie is the quintessential matron who has so much wisdom and life experience to impart to her granddaughter. I loved her approach by showing Addy what she wanted her to know rather than just teaching with words. She told stories, but they were from her experiences. She knew Sylvia was also teaching Addy important lessons about her future and felt the press of time. Even in this, she was patient and not forceful. The lessons of love, integrity, forgiveness, perseverance, and above all, seeking how to care for others as God would have resonate loudly, but gracefully, from start to finish. Each woman has a powerful perspective, experience, and outcome that befits them so well. Austin is truly a masterful storyteller. Words are shaped and molded into a compelling story that pierced my own stupor and compelled me to look around again. There are ways that we can serve others and we need to be willing to be a vessel for God’s glory and purposes, even when it does not like we thought or imagined.

I had the added bonus of listening to an audiobook in which the narration brought the story to life a whole new way for me. All the characters, male and female, as well as the age differences were so well represented.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media, Recorded Books for the audiobook version of this book. I am not compensated with or affiliated with any one in any way for my review. Everything I write is my own thoughts- feelings and opinions.

So I almost had this book go in the DNF pile. It started out slow for me. Then trying to piece together all the different parts that wove into a beautifully written book! Once I got into the book I absolutely loved it! This was a fun clean romance.

Thank you Netgalley & RB Media for allowing me to listen to the audiobook version of "All My Secrets " This was my 1st book by Lynn Austin.

This was a very beautiful cross generation story of love, sacrifice, family and true Christian believes. It was well written and even the narrator Sarah Zimmerman did a beautiful job.

The lives of these marvelous ladies across 3 generations is in sudden uncertainly when the father and current head of the Stanhope family dies without a male heir. The struggle of woman in the gilded era has been so beautifully portrayed. A woman's strength and power has always been ignored and tested, but there is no rival to a woman's determination.

My most fav part of the story was when Adelaide chooses to be part of Women suffrage, instead of just choosing to be frivolous.

Its beautiful book that can even be read by young adults.

I received this great book from Netgalley for my honest review. It was a wonderful listen. At times I was a bit confused on the characters as they switched back and forth, but I was able to figure it out and continue with the book. These three stars of the show Junietta, Sylvia and Adelaide. Junietta is the grandma and Sylvia is the mother to Adelaide. We go back in time to see Junietta's life unfold. At one point I gasped and would have had a crying fit, but was driving at the time. Such a good read and worth reading!

This was my first time reading/listening to a Lynn Austin novel, and I enjoyed it. My library patrons are always raving about her books, and I can see why. I love stories with different points of view, and reading Junietta, Sylvia, and Adelaide's different viewpoints was very intriguing because they each brought their own personalities and elements to the story. I also enjoy that Christian faith and God were represented in this book, which was a breath of fresh air. My only small complaint is the narrator. She has a beautiful voice, but sometimes it was very monotonous. I guess I'm just used to listening to narrators with more drama and flair in their style of reading. I would still recommend this book, but next time I will probably just read the print book instead of listening to the audiobook version.

All My Secrets, by Lynn Austin flawlessly blends history, family dynamics, and the Christian faith.

All My Secrets illustrates resilience across three generations of Stanhope women as the sudden death of the family Patriarch, Arthur Stanhope III, propels Junietta (Mimi), her daughter Sylvia, and Granddaughter, Adelaide into a tumultuous journey, unraveling hidden family secrets. And forcing decisions they were not prepared for.

Lynn Austin's talented writing illuminates the complexities of each character, emphasizing the impact of Christian faith.

The main characters navigate everyday struggles of the wealthy class and what ordinary everything things we take for granted, they must forfeit.

I appreciated how the author weaves Christian values and mentioning the sacrifices of the Lord in the story.
The characters' spiritual growth demonstrates the power of God’s grace in our lives.

Lynn Austin's portrayal of the Gilded Age of New York is so interesting.

I was fortunate to receive an audiobook ARC and the narrator was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley!!

I always love a good Lynn Austin book and this one does not disappoint!

Following the lives of three family members from different generations set in the guilded age we are taken through a myriad of emotions. When the patriarch of the family dies and the will is set up to pass everything to the male family members instead of his widow and unmarried daughter they have to get creative to be sure to be able to survive. What kind of choices do you make when survival has to depend on marrying for money or love?

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great for the different characters.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Kudos to the talented narrator, Sarah Zimmerman, whose exceptional performance brings the characters to life and keeps listeners captivated from start to finish. With skillful pacing and a nuanced delivery, Zimmerman elevates the audiobook experience to new heights, immersing audiences in the rich tapestry of the Gilded Age and the transformative journey of the Stanhope family.

This audiobook transcends mere entertainment, seamlessly weaving together elements of history, family dynamics, and Christian faith into a compelling narrative. Themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the providence of God resound throughout, resonating deeply with the listener's heart and soul. Zimmerman's masterful narration transforms the spoken word into a symphony of emotions, drawing listeners into a spiritual journey of reflection and revelation.

A heartfelt appreciation is extended to RB Media for providing a copy of the audiobook via NetGalley. Rest assured, this review is offered with complete honesty and transparency, reflecting my genuine admiration for the superb narration and captivating content of this audiobook.

This is really between a 4 and a 5 for me. Excellent book and very captivating story. I was hooked early on.
The story is told by 3 different women - Junietta, her daughter in law-Sylvia, and Adelaide the daughter of Sylvia and granddaughter of Junietta. The story telling worked well this way and did not get confusing.
It is set in the 1800's, going back to before the Civil War, but most of the book occurs in the late 1800s. It was an interesting time period, touching on the rise of the industrialists and the wealthy class and also a bit of women's suffrage movement.
The big issues do get resolved, but without a tidy and neat wrap-up which I appreciated. I knew things were going to be okay for everyone without having to have every detail spelled out.
My only complaints were small. At times I wondered if the characters were more modern than in their own time period. There was a big emphasis on following your heart, which is very modern and didn't see to fit the time period well, but it also did fit in the story. Also on a few rare occasions one or two characters got a little preachy. It didn't last long and I did agree with what they said, so it didn't really bother me.
I listened on audio and thought the narrator did a great job.