Thank you to Macmillan Audio, for the free audiobook for review.

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 or in this case a must-listen.

I don't always enjoy Historical fiction, but this novel's combination of romance, suspense, and strong character development made it a really engaging story. I loved the shifting POVs that gave me insight into each of the characters and allowed me to get a more well-rounded understanding of the story. So many aspects of this book kept me listening: from the writing style to the excellent narration, this one was a winner!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for an arc of this book.

I love Historical fiction, and I was drawn to request this book because of the cover.

This was Historical fiction combined with a suspense/thriller book.

I really enjoyed this one. I thought the narrator was perfect.

We are only as good as the lies we tell ourselves. From the outside Kate Furniss is the picture of staunch professionalism. Though younger than most housekeepers, she maintains an unwaveringly confidence. Quickly we learn that Kate is not what she seems. Working at Coldwell Hall provides the perfect backdrop to conceal her secret.

A once grande hall , now in disarray, it is unaccustomed to guests. As guests ascend on the hall for an impending proposal/wedding, Kate notes the need for a new footman. With time being of the essence, Jem is hired on to fulfill the role. Immediately Kate is both captivated by and suspicious of him. Like a moth to a flame their live affair begins.

Yet the impending changing in the house bring new challenges. Secrets are discovered and manipulated for personal gain. Can they overcome this trial and remain together or will the past crash down and destroy the fragility of their union.?

If you’re a fan of period romance and mystery you’ll love this novel. It provides amazing insight into class and gender without being redundant. The character development and suspense make it a must read.

#ARC #NetGalley

I chose to listen to the audiobook version of this book.

The narrator was amazing throughout this book! The way the author writes is also just as amazing. I typically don't listen to audiobooks as I find myself to get very distracted very quickly and have a hard time following along, but I didn't have any issues with this book.

This story is a historical romance with a little suspense sprinkled in, which I think was just the right amount. This story does hold a lot of secrets from the characters, and it was almost jaw dropping as they were coming to light and who did what.

This story was easy to listen to and it helped me to fall in love with the characters. I feel as though the narrators is what had me captivated through this book. This is one of the best audiobooks that I have listened to so far.

I will be recommending this book for my book club to 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!

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advance reading copy. The Housekeeper's Secret is a novel that melds historical fiction with suspense/mystery in a way that had me hooked from the first chapter. I enjoyed the dual POV, the main characters Kate & Jem, and the pace of this novel. It didn't feel like I was rushing through the story but also did not drag.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction set in the early 1900s, which is reminiscent of Downton Abby. Everyone in Coldwell Hall has secrets and pasts that they are either running from or hiding from. Kate and Jem are the primary characters in this story, and their character-building and the development of their relationship are the primary storylines. The story was well-written and full of suspense, with a bit of romance peppered in.

Thank you to Macmillian Audio via NetGalley for my advance review copy. Set to publish on August 13, 2024

For those that love Downton Abby this is a great read. As a historical fiction book it is beautifully written. I love these glimpses into history, even if it's fiction.

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.

The narration and production were professional.

I received a free copy of the audiobook from MacMillan Audio. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Captivating and Intriguing

I recently finished listening to Iona Grey’s new novel, The House Keeper’s Secret, and it was a captivating experience. The audiobook format brought the story to life in a remarkable way, and I found that the ideal listening speed was at 1.5x. This pace enhanced the narration, making it more engaging without losing any of the book’s nuances.

The plot is rich with historical detail and emotional depth, delving into the difficulties women experienced during the early 20th century. Grey poignantly captures the societal pressures and limited opportunities that women faced, painting a vivid picture of their struggles for autonomy and respect. The story also explores the ease with which people could change their identities, using secrets and new personas to escape their pasts. This aspect of the novel adds a layer of intrigue, as characters navigate the complexities of their hidden lives and the consequences that follow.

Grey’s storytelling is masterful, weaving together the personal and historical elements seamlessly. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. The House Keeper’s Secret is a compelling listen from start to finish, and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a touch of mystery.

Thank you Mcmillan Audio, NetGalley, & Iona Grey for this eARC!

I was invested in Kate and Jem's story, but this was not my favorite book. It started very slowly, and with the POV and simultaneous time switches, I put this book down a bunch and struggled to finish it.

I could just keep chanting Jem and Kate, Jem and Kate, Jem and Kate. This pair was made for each other.

KATE: Housekeeper at Coldwell house. In hiding from an abusive husband. Stoic, efficient, young and beautiful (inside and out)

Jem: on a mission to find out what happened to his brother Jack from 7 years ago, trail leads him to Coldwell house. He's handsome, hardworking amd strong, but has so many secrets, and is the destroyer of his own happiness

The villian: Mr. Henderson, GOD, the viper was at Coldwell hall. I swear he gave me the shivers. Completely manipulative and creepy

Supportive cast: other household staff at Coldwell house

The book: it has romance (a big dose) it has mystery (also in big doses) and was evocative in describing a turn of the century time period where class differences still existed by industrial revolution and ww1 was right around the corner. Jem and Kate's romance was so palpable, their lack of communication or rather his lack of communication caused so much angst. I was torn for these two lovers who eventually after all the grief come together. The ending was realistic and well done.

The audio narration was really good- the creepy vibes, the romantic vibes and the torment all came through. I just wished the male narrator was past and present Jem. His voice was groovy.

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.


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. In a time without modern convivences, they only had the fireplaces to keep them warm on frigid days and nights. Plus, the servants did back breaking work. Going up and down the stairs, at times carrying hot water, other times bed pans. 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.

I was lucky enough to get the audio and digital version of this book.

Review of the story:
This was a great historical romance novel with a touch of suspense given the amount of secrets embedded into the story. It took me a little to get into the story as the beginning slowly sets the stage and doesn't make a ton of sense at first. The alternating timelines and amount of characters were difficult to follow at times. If you are someone who really enjoys a thorough plot development this one will really satisfy you. Set in the early 1900s the author did a great job at accurately portraying that time period. This is a must for any historical fiction/romance fans.

Narrators:
The narrators did a great job and kept me intrigued the entire time. The story was easy to listen to and I felt like it was more interesting because of the narrators. I can highly recommend the audio version.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy.