This is the third book that I have read by Jennifer Hillier and it was really great!

This author has a way of hooking you right from the first page and she makes you think the whole story is about one thing when really it's about another, but in the end it's about everything!

We start at the beginning with Marin and Derek and the kidnapping of their four year son Sebastian. This book takes place in Seattle Washington so for those of us familiar with the area it adds an additional thrill. Sebastian is taken from Pike Street Market and I could feel the utter grief, fear and chaos of the situation. Fast forward sixteen months and much has happened. Marin has tried to commit suicide and Derek is having an affair. I truly felt that this couple had no chance at all to ever recover from the loss of their son. Enter Marin's best friend Sal and the thrills start jumping. Again what I thought was true wasn't and when Marin starts to dig deeper into her husband's affair the truth comes out and it's explosive.

I highly recommend this author and this book. Jennifer Hillier is a terrific author and her books never disappoint me!

This was my first book by Jennifer Hillier and it did not disappoint! The book was very intriguing from the start. I read it with 3 other women and we were all captivated by the idea of losing your little boy. It felt so real, I was sick to my stomach. It's hard to say much about the book, but just pick it up and enjoy all the twists and turns. I will say that the characters are not very likable so if that bothers you this may not be for you. Without saying much, I just had one little problem which kept me from 5 stars but overall a great thriller!

My heart stops whenever I read a book about an abducted child. As a mom of five and grandma of nine, I cant imagine what a mother goes through during a time like this. And so the book starts off with Marin, letting go of Sebastian's hand for one second, and his disappearing.

But the story doesnt revolve around just this subject. It goes on to cover what this loss does to a marriage, a husband, a wife....lovers and friends. And the more you get into the book the deeper you find more secrets between people who never had secrets before. And then the answer all comes together in the end.

Marin's life spirals out of control when she feels like killing herself, when her husband takes on a mistress, when her best friend betrays her. Amazing story with a great ending.....thanks to #Netgalley for the chance to review this book. #fourstars. #littlesecrets Due to be released April 21, 2020

Many thanks to NetGalley and the team at St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book early. Its always appreciated.

I really liked this book. I think its going to be a hard one to review simply because its hard for me to neatly sum up my feelings. Is this a good book? Yes. Did I like it? Yes, but my problem was I hyped it up too much. I read other reviews (which I normally don't do) and I psyched myself up for something completely mind-blowing. My mind wasn't blown, but this is a solid read. It truly has everything you want in a great book. An incredible plot, good writing, imperfect characters, and twists you may or may not see coming. Jennifer Hillier takes a subject that has been written about many times before and makes it her own. One of the things I liked most was the fact that I felt Marin's grief and pain. I may not have agreed with everything she did, but I understood it. I also loved how the twists were added to the story. They're subtle (I've been using that word a lot lately) and they make sense. Nothing is thrown in for the sake of it. I also liked the fact that the ending wasn't rushed. Its also very satisfying.

For me, this book took a little while to get going. I admit that I had a hard time getting into at first, but that changed around the halfway point. Seasoned thriller readers might see the twists coming, but that shouldn't deter them. This is an excellent book, just make sure you don't read too many reviews. Go in blind and enjoy the ride; its a good one.

This one starts off sooooo good. I actually had a nightmare after reading the first part at bedtime. 😳

It seems to start in one direction, but then takes a completely different route, and ends up back where it started.

It was a strange format, and I’m not sure if it distracted me too much or if I just didn’t like the “story in the middle” but it didn’t feel like it should until it gets back to where it needs to be.

I know why it was needed, of course, but at times it just felt like two completely different stories.

I felt as though this story was really, really predictable. I knew who the guilty party was very early on in the story and never wavered. Usually, I go back and forth with theories, but this was clear cut for me. No questioning at all.

Was I happy with the ending? Yes. I think it was what needed to happen.

I loved the idea of this one, but not how it was presented, unfortunately. I really wanted to like this one, too.

This is my first book by Jennifer Hillier. And boy am I impressed! The plot is beautifully written with some interesting twists. The character development is done very well. The writing is so eloquent that you will form your impressions and change your impressions of the characters as Ms Hillier wants you to. The title is apt, there are little secrets everyone is keeping and they all tie in eventually. There are no loose ends and it I loved the way it ended. The plot makes you feel every emotion from sadness to immense relief and from desperation to anger. You can feel the pain of the people in the ‘group’ that Mar attends and even though their side stories don’t add much to the overall plot they don’t feel irrelevant. The book actually made me well up in the end- which is a very very rare thing for me to experience!
I’m definitely going to pick up more books by this author. Add this to your must read list for 2020

Marin had everything she could ever want- successful business, fantastic husband, and a son to cherish. And in one second, she lets go of her sons hand and her whole life comes crashing down. After crashing to rock bottom, Marin tries to piece her life back together but gets trapped in something that seems much more sinister than a simple affair.

A great read that kept me guessing until the end! Highly recommended for all!

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

5 Shining Stars!!

I don’t think I expected anything less from Jennifer Hillier than a perfect 5 star read. After reading this author's previous novel, Jar of Hearts, there was no question that she will be one of my go-to authors.

Little Secrets is a perfect read for those of us that enjoy dark, twisty, and captivating suspense novels. I think the best way to read this book is by going in blind. The plot is truly addictive, the characters are less than perfect, and the twist and turns keep me guessing till the end. It is an emotional story of loss and deceit, and I quickly learned that things are not always what they appear to be in this crazy book.

If you enjoy gripping and suspenseful novels, do yourself a favor and read this one. I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier. Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press, Minotaur Books for the e-ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Marin is a powerful business woman with a wealthy, handsome husband. Her life is enviable, except that her young son was abducted. It’s been over a year and the authorities are no longer actively pursuing the case. She hires a private investigator who finds out her husband is having an affair. Marin is faced with losing her husband as well as her son, which she won’t let happen.

I just read Jar of Hearts and loved it so I was very excited to read this. It did not disappoint. I loved Marian’s character. She was so real- strong and determined, even in grief. The plot was fun to follow and some super exciting twists occurred that I was not prepared for. There’s also a special edition pair of Louboutins involved in the story line, which I loved.

Little Secrets comes out 4/21 and if you’re a thriller/mystery fan, you’ll want a copy

Plot twists were surprises as the plot raced from clue to clue. A surprise ending that shouldn't have been a surprise but it is so well written that it was!

Marin & Derek Machado are a power couple who seem to have it all, a loving marriage, all of the bling wealth can bring. When their 4 yr old son Sebastian is stolen, Marin & Derek's relationship becomes distant and tangled. After 16 months without a word is their child alive or dead? Marin's college BFF Sal has always been there for her. His support has been an anchor for Marin. When Derek' is home less and less Marin adds follow Derek to her private detective's list of things to investigate along with finding Sebastian.

This is the author of Jar of Hearts so I knew to expect an emotionally charged story and she delivered!

Really enjoyed Little Secrets. I found myself hooked early on, and couldn’t put it down. Clever premise, but there were bits of it that were just a bit too implausible. Probably because I’ve read so many of these kinds of books. Still though, blasted through it because the authors writing style and pace was really good!

I'm disappointed that I didn't love Little Secrets as much as other reviewers. Also it was a bit of a let down from Hillier's last novel, Jar of Hearts, which I loved!

Little Secrets follows Marin Machado as her life falls apart. Her 4 year old son was taken from her in broad daylight and not a word has been heard from her son or his kidnapper since. Not surprisingly after the kidnapping, Marin's marriage falls apart.

I didn't like any of the characters and even though I did feel for Marin, I just couldn't connect with her. Also a lot of reviewers talked about the big twist and I surprised myself by guessing the twist fairly early on. So sadly the ending wasn't a big surprise for me.

Thank you to Netgallery and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the early opportunity to review Little Secrets. I did not love Jennifer Hillier's novel prior to this one. But I REALLY enjoyed LITTLE SECRETS much more than I expected to, and I think it might be one of my favourite books I've read all year.

OMG, this book was outstanding! Who’s double-crossing who??
I usually shy away from books like this because it is about a young child disappearing when he’s out with his mother. The boy’s family is a well-off, good-looking, you know “that” couple. So who took their son and what secrets are they hiding from each other.
This book has so many twists and turns that you might suffer from whiplash!

I wasn't a big fan of Hillier's Jar of Hearts, so I knew I was taking a little bit of a gamble on this one. So much of the story is swimming within the grim world of missing children, and all the what-ifs that any parents asks about the unknowns of a still missing child. All of the main characters of the book are guilty of something terrible, and almost all of them are out for themselves and no one else. Even when Marin finds a way to square things with her conscience at the end of the book, and you feel for her in the ways she's been changed by her missing son, it still doesn't feel like much of a redemption. It may be a case of this just not being the right book for this reader.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the early opportunity to review Little Secrets! This is my second Jennifer Hillier novel, and it did not disappoint! The pacing was phenomenal and kept me interested throughout.

The novel focuses on Marin, half of a wealthy power couple, who loses her young son Sebastian on an outing at Pike's Place Market in Seattle. Marin is devastated, and after over a year of searching, the FBI has not located her child. While her life is in shambles from the disappearance of her son, Marin finds out secrets about her best friend and husband that make her go to crazy lengths to regain control of her life, and ultimately, get closer to discovering what happened to her son.

This book has a ton of twists and drama, which I loved. The last quarter of the book was a little far-fetched for me, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend you read this page-turner when it comes out on 4/21!

Once again Hillier has written an incredibly addicting and suspenseful mystery/thriller. Once I started LITTLE SECRETS I had a very hard time putting it down. The mystery of what happened to Sebastian is compelling, but it's how Marin has reacted to the disappearance of her son, and what lengths she will go to to keep her husband by her side that were so very twisted. I really liked Marin, terribly flaws and all, and thought that she was an interesting and complex protagonist. Kenzie was a little less fleshed out, but Hillier does her due diligence in giving her a well thought out backstory and motivations. I was definitely wanting to find out just what her deal was, and once we got to twist after twist I was mostly taken by surprise by all of them. All around LITTLE SECRETS really delivered.

LITTLE SECRETS is a very well done thriller, and just solidifies Jennifer Hillier as one of the best in the genre right now. If you haven't checked her out yet, you really need to do so.

From the author of Jar of Hearts comes this edge of your seat, domestic suspense thriller of a story!

Marin and Derek are living the perfect life. College love and two driven people. Marin owns a very successful chain of hair salons and Derek owns his own business as well. Money isn't something they think about. They even have a perfectly lovely little boy, Sebastian.

But in the blink of an eye, Sebastian disappears from his mother's hand and is gone. The video surveillance shows him happily walking out with a Santa.

Cut forward a year and you wouldn't know this is the same woman. The leads are dead, no one seems to be looking for her child. She goes to therapy, a group of people with little in common except for the fact their children are all missing. 

Marin has secretly hired a PI, Vanessa, to try and find Sebastian. What she finds is evidence of an affair Derek is having with some young tart.

Marin has been sleepwalking through life until now. Now she is clearheaded and out for blood! Who is this younger woman?

Kenzie is a graduate student and aspiring artist. She is famous. On IG. Derek isn't her first rich catch. But Marin intends to make sure he is the last. Marin may not be able to do anything about her son, but Kenzie is one problem that she can deal with.

With help from a dear college friend, she finds someone to take care of that issue, only to find out Kenzie may know something about her son! And Derek isn't exactly innocent either. 

This book was like jumping into the deep end of the pool. No build-up, no ramping up gradually, nope, not at all. There were really good characters here. Slimy, yes, but good. People I didn't want to like but did so grudgingly. People who were just like me and yet did not see what was right in front of their eyes.

I can say I was properly scared to death and I can't wait to go back and savor it slowly this time!




NetGalley/  April 21st, 2020 by Minotaur Books

This is the first book of Jennifer Hillier’s that I have read....and if her other thrillers are like this....I will be reading more!! I love books that grab you in the very first chapter, which this did. How else to get your heart pumping but to read that a child has been abducted? Marin and Derek had what seemed to be a perfect life until it wasn’t. The kidnapping of their only child, Sebastian, seemed to start a roller-coaster of things not to do in a “perfect life”. The secrets held within this story are many, and they don’t just belong to Marin and Derek. And yet they all lead to a surprising “double-ending”. (To me, this is when the actual story ends....but then there is that post-script that totally ends it.) The storyline is told through some present-time chapters, and some chapters that give an understanding to the story of today. I appreciated that the author gave some insight into Marin’s emotional trauma due to the kidnapping of her son, and brings in the importance of group support. Some of the other characters featured in this book lend their own levels of secrecy to the outcomes...so don’t write them off as just fill-ins for the story! I would definitely recommend this book to readers who love the suspense of a good domestic thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an ARC ebook to read and review in return for an honest review, which this has been. #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks

Marin and Derek are a picture-perfect married couple. They started as college sweethearts, and are now successful and wealthy professionals living in Seattle. Then, one day, their lives are turned upside down when their young son Sebastian is kidnapped in broad daylight. We then re-join them a year later when Marin is a broken woman, struggling to get through the day. There are no leads as to Sebastian’s whereabouts, so she hires a private investigator to take on the case. And the PI makes a big discovery: Derek is having an affair. Marin soon becomes obsessed with the other woman and makes it her mission to ensure she doesn’t lose her husband, too.
I really enjoyed this book. The kidnapping scene was gut-wrenching to get through as a parent, and I really liked most of the characters. Admittedly, the book lost me a bit in the middle, as I felt Marin made some far-fetched choices that seemed totally unrealistic. But it hooked me back in the final third, with many unexpected, heart-stopping moments. This book is a fun drama that’s hard to put down. It’s sure to be a great beach read!