This is one of the most heartfelt, and Intriguing books I have ever read. It is beautifully written, and the characters are portrayed in a way they feel real. The book starts out with Lillian saying a final goodbye to her beloved father as he takes his last breath. She has been faithfully at his side for the past months, caring for him along with a hospice nurse. Within about 20 minutes of his death, Layla arrives, but too late to say a final goodbye.. Lillian and Layla are twins, although Lillian has stayed in Charleston where they were raised ,and Layla now lives in Atlanta. Ivy, the mother of the girls died when they were 6 years old so were raised by their dad, a nanny,and Trudy, a trusted and loved long-time employee of the family. Lillian and Layla grew up mostly at odds with one another. Lillian being the more quiet sister, and Layla the more domineering one. Together the sisters are now the owner of their ancestral home which creates new issues. Their father, Graham, was an English Professor at the College of Charleston.. When he was a new member of the faculty, at a reception hosted by the college, Graham met Edward Stoney, an alumni, and his adult daughter, Ivy. Edward took an interest in young Graham and invited him to go sailing. Graham accepted, hoping he'd see Ivy again. Eventually Edward encouraged the marriage between Graham and Ivy. Upon Graham's death, Lillian found a manuscript her dad had written about his life with Ivy. From this point on, the book goes from the story of Graham's and Ivy's life together as told my Graham, to the present time .and the challenges that are facing Lillian and Layla. The title of this book is absolutely perfect as what a tangled mess can be created in lives when there are secrets. This book should be read when there are no other time commitments as it's a difficult book to put down. I kept turning the pages to the end. because I didn't want to wait to find out what happens next. Ashley Farley has another big winner here!