Amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end.
Well written which kept me captivated throughout.
I will definitely be reading other books by this author

Review : 3 Stars
This is a light read that does not consume the reader fully! I would not classify this as a thriller really, it is more of a domestic drama. The plot is predictable, pretty much from get go there are no twists that even a novice reader won't be able to predict. If you are looking for a quick easy read then this is a good pick.
All the characters are very self-centered and unlikeable. They make questionable choices many times all through the story. They are very calculating and do not behave like a real family or even a real couple. There are a quite a few loopholes in the plot that made me unable to rate this book better. I do not understand why Ellie would send weekly letters to Tia but not take the time to meet her even once in 15 years! There isn’t enough mentioned about their past to justify the resentment that Ellie holds perpetually for Tia. I also could not understand why Tia had to burn/shred the letters. Despite all this I wanted to keep reading, I give credit the author's writing that makes a reader want to read something that they can predict fairly well. The ending, while being something predictable, helps wrap the story up nicely explaining to the reader the how and the why.
I do think the book needs a little more editing since the basic premise of the dynamics between the characters is established quickly and some of the details and instances do not really sway your opinion one way or the other.
The title really does not do the book any justice because there are no secrets really between them that are central to the plot. The publisher needs to work on the blurbs and descriptions because they are misleading. When the description/synopsis is so different from the actual plot, it causes dissatisfaction to the reader which
leads to a lower rating for a book simply because it does not meet the expectations that are set.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley, #SecretsBetweenUs

Also shared on: https://romasharma.blogspot.com


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The author is a good writer (this is the first time I have read this author) but this book is NOT a mystery/suspense/thriller but rather just a depressing story about the relationship between 3 people...identical twins and 1 husband.. I figured out every single 'what happens next' moment before the end of the book because as someone who is a hard core mystery reader it's all very obvious. She is a good story teller but I probably would have never requested this book from Net Galley if the 'blurb' given about it had actually told readers a bit more and not stressed this as mystery/suspense/thriller. I would definitely consider reading another by her in the future.

This is a very well written book. It is a cleverly written plot and well thought out. Unfortunately I guessed the ending near the beginning of the book and that spoilt my enjoyment of it. I don't want to give away any spoilers. I just felt that it was too predictable. I didn't like any of the characters either.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The story of Ellie and her twin sister, Tia. Tia has lived most of her life in an institution for people with learning difficulties. She has received letters from Ellie once a week for the last 15 years, but Ellie has very rarely visited her. When the institution announces it is closing, Ellie as Tia’s guardian has to find her someone else to live. Ellie’s husband, Will suggests that Tia lives with them, but neither of them realise how life-changing this will become.

I loved this book! It was my first book by this author and what a book to start on! Twins have always seemed fascinating to me, but identical twins seem to be a whole different ball game! Obviously Ellie and Tia are identical twins, but Ellie hasn’t visited Tia for years. Ellie seemed happy to be separated from her twin, which did seem strange to me as I had always assumed that twins, particularly identical, would be so close. Ellie also seemed to think that as the years had passed that perhaps they were slightly different now they were older, but this obviously wasn’t the case when she meets Tia to bring her home.

I have to admit I did like Ellie’s character. She seemed quite a confident and beautiful woman, but it did become apparent that she had some secrets which she’d managed to keep hidden for years. We all know that big old secrets in books like these never stay secrets for long, so I was furiously reading as fast as I could to find out what these were! Tia was a different story! I wouldn’t say it was a complete dislike of the character, but there was something about her that gave me the heebie-jeebies and at times made me feel really uncomfortable! I did empathise with both of them at some points in the story, for different reasons for both of them. As the story moved on though, it became apparent that, despite Ellie’s attempts to not be identical, they were both so very alike, for reasons which I won’t go into for fear of spoilers!

The storyline flew along at a great pace and it felt like at times I didn’t come up for air! I was so engrossed in the book that I found myself sitting in a dark room on my own as I hadn’t realised the lights weren’t on and my husband and son had took themselves off elsewhere! They may have told me they were going to do this, but I didn’t hear them…..the only thing I was interested in was Ellie and Tia’s story! I wouldn’t say there were any major twists or turns throughout the book, and to be honest I guessed some of it as I was going along, but none of that really mattered. The plot was really strong and the story was well thought out. It held my attention for hours at a time and I could be heard shouting out ‘No!’ and ‘I knew it!’ at random points throughout the book! I always know when I read a good book as I always end up retelling the story to my husband as I read to see how he thinks it will finish!

A deliciously chilling thriller with bucket loads of suspense and tension! This one will definitely keep you hooked until the very last page! Would definitely recommend!

Ellie and Will are happily married and looking forward to having a child when they find out that Ellie's twin sister needs to come stay with them. I could not get past the overly obvious plot of the book to enjoy it. By 5% of my way into the story, I knew exactly what was going to happen and spent the next 60% of the book reading the slow path to what I already knew. Thankfully, I thought, at that point something happened. But again, where this new plot was leading was extremely obvious as well. In the author's defense, I can't figure out how this same book could have been written without being so obvious.

Summary:

Ellie lives the perfect life in the city with her husband Will. Successful and in love, they seemingly have it all. That is, until they find out that Ellie is unable to conceive a child, and the threads of their marriage begin to fray.

Meanwhile, Ellie's identical twin sister Tia has lived her entire life in a residential institution for the intellectually disabled, baking bread and only imagining the finer things in life. Just as charming and beautiful as her twin, Tia subsists on daily letters from Ellie. Ellie sends Tia one letter a week, with only one condition: burn each letter after reading.

The two sisters have spent most of their lives apart, until a change in circumstance means that Tia must come and live in London with Ellie and Will. Anyone expecting a joyous reunion between the sisters will be in for a shock: introducing the simple Tia to Ellie and Will's already complicated household shakes things up in the darkest way possible.

Review: 

I was excited to pick this book up, as the literary trope of twins has so much potential in this genre. Valerie Keogh did not disappoint. In fact, my stomach turned at the drama that unfolds between Tia, Will and Ellie. While I did not find the main character Ellie completely likeable, I found myself rooting for her as her husband descended into uglier and uglier betrayals.

There were plenty of clues to lead me to the final outcome, but the breadcrumbs dropped along the way still kept me guessing. The question for me was not if, but when, one of these characters would finally snap. The shifting limited omniscient perspective meant that as a reader, I never fully knew what each character was plotting. And they were always plotting!

As a whole, I found this novel to be good. I wasn't blown away by character, setting or language overall; however, props to Valerie Keogh for this twisted domestic thriller.

Readers who enjoy a fast-paced, plot-driven thriller might enjoy Secrets Between Us for a quick read. For me it was a 3/5.

I was captivated from the beginning untill the end by this book. I have to admit I figured most of the story out rather early on, but I was so charmed by the writing style that I could not put it down.

It surely takes one sick mind to do what happened here and isn't this exactely what a psychological thriller is about? 

Normally I don't really like the way this book ended, the way an author can keep you hanging and not knowing for certain what the next step is going to be. But in this case, it fitted perfectly with the rest.

What can I say more? I can only repeat myself and say that I was enjoying it enormously.

Thank you, Valerie Keogh, Bookouture and Netgalley.

One letter a week for 15 years. 780 identical white envelopes brimming with my sisters darkest secrets. All the intricate details if a life as different to mine could possibly be. Tia and Ellie are identical twins. One is in a high powered job in London while the other was placed in a residential home. Their only means of communication were the letters Ellie sent on a Friday and Tia received every Monday. Ellie and her husband Will have a lovely home and good jobs. Ellie has not seen Tia for several years but as the home where Tia lives is being closed down, Ellie has no other option but to let her sister live with them.

Though identical, Tia and Ellie are different in many ways. Ellie is a cold business woman, where Tia has mental health issues, lives in an assisted living home and bakes bread every day. All three characters are not very likeable., the worst though, I thought was Ellie. There's not a lot I can say about this book as I would give away all the spoilers. The story is tense and twisted throughput the book. The story is well written. I found the book addictive and hard to put down. I did guess the ending.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Valerie Keogh for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Identical twins - what could go wrong? Fascinating and well paced family drama. The author does a very good job with a fairly predictable situation. Or is it? Kept me engaged all the way through to an ending that I wasn't sure about until I arrived.

It’s quite rare I find myself only putting up 2 stars for a book. Like every book I read, I always try to find redeeming qualities to balance my review. Unfortunately as you may have guessed, I had a hard time finding the positive.

My believability radar was going off from the beginning. With the entire plot figured out by 10%, I considered a DNF but forged on hoping there would be a pleasant surprise waiting for me at the end. Unfortunately...no.

There may be other positive reviews, so please try this one for yourself. I sincerely hope it works out better for you.

A buddy read with Susanne that left both of us shaking our heads.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Valerie Keogh for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a well written and nicely paced psychological thriller that had me interested the whole time.
I would definitely read another book by this author.

This was a quick, easy read but it was very predictable as to what was going to happen. Ellie and Tia are identical twins. Ellie has a fast-paced stressful office job and Tia lives in a facility for "Differently Abled" people. When the facility closes, Tia comes to live with Ellie and her husband, Will. I did not particularly care for the main characters in this book, Ellie, Tia and Will, but it was a good book.

2 Stars.

Ellie and Will have been together for 10 years. As it turns out, Will does not know his wife at all. The secrets she has been keeping from him are doozies - though I figured them out (along with the premise) within the first 12% of the book, which didn’t make for the most captivating read.

“Secrets Between Us” was, unfortunately fairly amateurish and extremely far-fetched, thus I had a hard time from the get go. I think this readers who are able to suspend disbelief are far better suited for this mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Valerie Keogh for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 11.4.18.

A edge of your seat read. What would you do to get the life that you want? Tia & Ellie are identical twins but their lives are completely different. Ellie has it all a wonderful husband, a nice home and a busy career while Tia lives in an assisted living house. Tia has learning difficulties and Ellie was happy for her to go to a home when their father died. Tia has made a life for herself and she needs to have a schedule that keeps her busy so when Ellie gets a letter to say that the home is closing down, she knows that she can't look after Tia. But she can't find somewhere else for her to go and her husband Will suggests that she stays with them for a while what harm can she do. Ellie agrees as they are both going through a really hard time as they found out that Ellie can't get pregnant and that has put strain on their marriage as Will really wants a child. Thing are going okay with Tia being in the house as all she does is watch TV but Ellie knows that something is wrong but Will dismisses her worries. But everything changes in one night and nothing will ever be the same again. Ellie knows that she has to go along with Will's plan as this is the only way that they can have a child. Tia plays along with them but she has been making her own plans. What can they do but keep up pretences now that the baby is due? Will can't believe that everything that he wants is here but he knows that Ellie is having a hard time with everything, it isn't everyday that you sleep with her twin and get her pregnant. Ellie loves Will and she do whatever she has to keep him and to get rid of her sister. But she forgets that Tia is a collector and that she isn't going to let go of her baby that easily. Who will win at the end of the day Ellie or Tia? Be careful what you wish for as things might not go your way. A excellent terrifying read, couldn't put it down it was that good. A must read for fans of thrillers. Never trust your twin especially after abandoning them when they needed you most. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

Secrets Between Us by Valerie Keogh is a very entertaining mystery which sound very contradictory. I totally agree with another reviewer that from the beginning of this textbook of identical twin mysteries, you know exactly what the ending is going to be but you have fun getting there.

I totally enjoyed the book and read it in less than 24 hours. I will definitely recommend it but don’t expect a thriller mystery. Just enjoy!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for letting me read this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Easy 5 stars.

The first thing that caught my eye is the cover! I’m very intrigued already. Secrets Between Us by Valerie Keogh will be out in two weeks so order it now! If you are addicted to thrillers, dark and twisty novels, books that keep you up late, then you will like this one!

The story centers around twin sisters, Ellie who is accomplished and married to Will, and Tia, a woman who has been living in a residential center for special needs. With both their parents dead, the girls don’t have anyone but each other. Unfortunately, Ellie went away to boarding school while Tia was institutionalized. When the institution closes down, Ellie takes her sister in.

What could possibly go wrong? A LOT!

Synopsis:

One letter a week for fifteen years. 780 identical white envelopes brimming with my sister’s darkest secrets. All the intimate details of a life as different to mine as could possibly be.

I read each letter slowly to make sure I understand it perfectly, one day very soon it will be a matter of life and death…At the end of each letter, after signing her name, there is always one final sentence: Don’t forget to burn this letter. I’ll let you decide if I do…



Another winner from one of my favorite publishers, Bookouture.

Thank you Net Galley and Bookouture for an early copy of Secrets Between Us. WOW!!! This was a Gripping psychological, the twists were Unreal!!! I Absolutely could NOT put this book down, Amazing. Thank you Valerie Keogh for writing a Phenomenal book.

Whoever wrote the synopsis for this book should be fired. As for the cover and the title, those people should be fired as well. And whoever decided to describe this book as a "jaw-dropping psychological thriller" should, at the very least, be written up. None of them give any indication as to what is actually between the covers of this book.

This story features two sisters, identical twins, Ellie and Tia. While Ellie lives in luxury with her husband, Will, and enjoys a high powered career, her twin Tia has been living for the last 15 years in an institution for the developmentally challenged. After the institution announces it's intentions to close it's doors, Tia comes to live with her sister and her husband. Ellie has always resented Tia and has never even visited her in the 15 years they've been separated.

What follows is more family drama than psychological thriller. There are no secrets in this story for even the most inept reader will know, without question, what's going to happen the moment we learn of Tia's existence.

The characters are unlikable and reprehensible. All three being cold, calculating and selfish.

There are a lot of holes in this plot that are too glaring to forgive. Unfortunately, I can't list them without giving away the story.

Even with all of the above driving me crazy, I inexplicably still enjoyed this book. It's a fast paced easy read that takes zero thought or acuity, which is sometimes refreshing. I read it in two sittings simply because it was fun. I don't always need thrilling, emotional or thought provoking stories in order to delight in a book. It's an entertaining story despite it's flaws.


I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free e-copy of Secrets Between Us by Valerie Keogh from NetGalley for my honest review.

An intense mystery with wonderful characters. So many secrets, so many lies and so much regret. Ellie and Tia are identical twins but their appearance is the only thing that is identical. Ellie, is married, head-strong and a go-get-er. Tia lives in a facility that helps care for disabilities and her and is sweet. They haven't seen each other for fifteen years. Ellie writes to Tia every week about the things that are happening in her life.

Tia's care facility is closing and so Ellie and her husband, Will decide to let Tia stay with them until they find her another place to live. When Tia moves in something changes. Something that will change everything.