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The Secret She Kept

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Member Reviews

Days before Lottie was murdered she lends her friend Anthony he laptop. Anthony starts to get curious when he starts getting questioned and decides to look through Lotties laptop for any clues. He is shocked to find information from her relationship with Davian, Anthony's best friend. They were files of secrets, deep dark secrets about Davian that could really incriminate Davian. Anthony could not believe what he heard and starts to question if Davian is really capable of murdering someone.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

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4-5 stars! While I do think it is a great read while reading, I feel it is a bit forgetful, hence the not full 5 star rating! I think it was really well written, unputdownable, and provided the thrills, chills, and shocks I seek! As I mentioned above I forgot about it; instead or pondering it for days, which is why it isn’t a full 5 star read for me! I do think most will really enjoy it, and unlike me might even be completely mind blown and therefore keep it sticking in their brain! Highly recommend, especially for those looking for a quick read!
Will make sure to buzz around platforms and use low Amazon reviewer number on release date!

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What a thrilling read! I haven't read anything by Ms Ellis before, so I was in for a surprise, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Recommended.

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This book was a thriller, and I wasn't thrilled when I was reading it. I liked it enough to finish it, but I felt that there were a lot of things missing. The writing style was a little off for me. There were a lot of well-developed characters, which I liked a lot-- especially in a thriller novel, so you can really understand what's going on and how everything falls into place. I obviously won't spill any spoilers, but I found this to be just okay! I enjoyed it while I read it, and I hope that whoever picks this up will love it! Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this e-book in exchange for a review.

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A good solid read with an interesting premise. After his best friend is killed, Anthony searches her laptop for clues after she left it with him a few days before. A series of video diary entries show him there’s more to the story and he feels impelled to investigate himself. Not a police officer or detective, he stumbles along very well, Lots of secrets and twists. We like/dislike Lottie as we find out more about her. Easy read and flows well.

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I was given this book by NetGAlley for an honest review -
Lottie borrows her computer to Anthony. Then Lottie is dead - Anthony's friend Davian is arrested for her murder.... but Anthony doesn't believe this.
And as he searches Lottie's computer he discovers her videos and is shocked by her secret!

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Anthony’s friend Lottie is dead, and no one can understand why….at first. Everyone has secrets, and Lottie is no exception. On the surface, she appeared to be a sweet, unassuming young lady with no enemies. She was even kind enough to loan Anthony her laptop prior to her death because his wasn’t working. Upon learning of her death, Anthony debates whether or not to turn the laptop over to the police or to conduct his own investigation first. What he learns once he explores her laptop puts a totally different spin on things. J.S. Ellis has written a book that will grab you from the beginning. The story is like waves in the ocean. It ebbs and flows, drawing you further and further into the life of Lottie and those around her. This is truly an engaging read. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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WOW! This was a page turner! Tales of should I solve this myself or leave it to the professionals ALWAYS peak my anxiety and make me hold my breath and this one is NO EXCEPTION. The phrase "Between a rock and a hard place" seems like a major understatement for the characters in this book, and J.S. Ellis did such a wonderful job of bringing them straight off the page. This will be an un-put-down-able read this summer season!

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The story alternates between Lottie's video diary and Anthony literally undertaking his own investigation. Lottie was shot in the face before the story starts and Anthony her nest friend has he laptop - which contains said video diaries..
As the story progresses Anthony becomes increasingly concerned that Lottie had been keeping things from him. and her relationship with his oldest friend, Davian was more than just colleagues who worked at the same gallery. By the time he gets to the end of the video diaries he realises he never really knew Lottie at all.

I found the writing style a little juvenile, I think the main character being "Lottie" really put me of,f I know it is a small thing but I just kept thinking about her as a young child or teenager rather than a grown woman so I really struggled to keep going with the book. the video style entry is reminiscent of 13 Reasons why and I think it was clearly inspired by the lies we hide being uncovered after death scenario that is becoming increasingly popular, however this one for me just fell short.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ADR in exchange for the honest review but in this case I would struggle to recommend this, unless it was for YA in which case I might reconsider.

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"The secret she kept" is packed full of lies and betrayal. You are consistently second guessing and doubting everyone. This was a really fast and fun read and It keeps you guessing right up till the end. The Secret She Kept has a suspenseful storyline with well developed characters, you will find yourself loving some and ready to choke others.

Let me tell ya, Lottie is a lady full of secrets and one damn good story teller! You got me girl, I didnt see that coming at all! I dont normally write such short reviews but honestly this is all I want to give you dear readers.

Dont worry Lottie your secrets are safe with me.

I recieved a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Definitely a ''who dunnit" mystery that keeps you thinking you know who is telling lies almost right up to the end. There is primarily one main living character and he is likable enough but I could never quite connect with him . He vacillates so much about his feelings for his deceased friend that you really are never sure what he wanted from their relationship. The other characters were just plain unlikable. Interesting how the story is presented using the videos from his friend. It just takes him so long to get through them. Big surprise ending, enjoy! Overall a good read.
I read this book as a complimentary advanced copy.I was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to the author,publisher,and NetGalley for the opportunity.

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The Secret She Kept
By
J S Ellis

I always enjoy a psychological thriller and this one was a little bit different.

Firstly, I thought it unusual to lend your laptop, even to your best friend, in such a casual way. She obviously had a plan…
Days after lending her laptop to Anthony, Lottie is found dead. A total shock for Anthony who thought who could possibly want to kill Lottie, everybody loved her. He looks at her laptop for the first time since she lent it to him and decides to do a bit of digging, he easily finds her videos and being her best friend guessed her password. He came to realise that he didn’t know his friend at all. Lottie has a lot to answer for in the involvement of relationship break ups and seems to be setting up Anthony’s friend as the main suspect in her murder.

Anthony watches all the videos, not giving up the laptop to the police investigation and finds himself in the midst of all her secrets.

I didn’t guess the outcome straight away as the characters were not always reliable so would lead you off in another direction. I found this book an average to good psychological thriller.

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I loved this book! It had me gripped from page one! The plot twists and turns and has you guessing right up to the end! It’s a real, “I never saw that coming!” Ending! Loved it! Beautifully written!

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i was given this ARC by netgalley and publisher for honest review and opinion
great book with twists, turns, and suspense!
i was able to finish this book fairly quickly.
it is about a group of friends but do you really know your friends? Anthony thought he knew his friends until he saw the secrets they had on their computer.

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This novel is full of characters who are duplicitous. Just to what degree is unraveled throughout. Told in 2 voices the writer is terrific blending the narrative and keeping the reader in suspense.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

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A good suspense read with interesting characters that aren't necessarily likable, but intriguing just the same. The way things are set up didn't work well for me, mainly the recording clips portions of the plot. I have liked this author's previous books so I had higher expectations for this one. However, I was invested in the answers. So overall it's a mystery that is worth reading.

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Ok, so I've pretty much read a lot of thrillers, some good and some bad. This book, was bad, at least for me. It felt rushed through most of the story, I didnt like the characters and it was not really anything to write home about. I did have a lot of hope for this one but it definitely fell flat.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This read for sure made me question if I truly know my friends. Doesn't matter how long you have know them... do you really know? Anthony finds out that he doesn't really know who Lottie is. But once he discovers what is on her computer he will start to question everything.
The book was a little hard to tell which parts were part of the videos from Lottie's computer. Thank you Black Cat Ink Press and Netgalley for the Advance Reader.

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Full of tension and taunt. Will keep you guessing who actually did it and what's going on. Definitely give this a try. A well written story. Happy reading!

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This was an entertaining, fast-paced read that I enjoyed. I started to figure it out towards the end, but it was still enjoyable to read. I received a copy of this ebook from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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