Fast read, not my favorite. I do like this author and her writing. There was just something missing for me.

Engaging and immersive. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

This is two thrillers in one. Two stories of two foster sisters, Krystal and Nicole, brought together through some disturbing events that bond them together for life. This story line lends information to the second piece of THE SECRETS OF US. Krystal is now a lawyer. She receives a call from Nicole. Nicole has been placed in a psychiatric hospital after trying to kill her husband. Her reason, he's not really her husband, he's been replaced. At this point, their past meets their present.

This is not a happily ever after book, it has some very dark places that would effect anyone who lived through the emotional equivalent of an earthquake. Lucinda Berry skillfully brings these two women to life and bares their history. It's definitely a thriller, but also a story of how the same events can have drastically different....and delayed....effects on the people involved.

I love a good psychological thriller! This one was no exception. Lies, secrets, trauma, family, it has all the components. However while good, I did not think it was great. The dual timeline for me was boxy and intrusive and didn’t fit in with what was happening in the present day story. After the long journey the wrap up seemed anticlimactic. And the relationship between the sisters seemed forced to me at times. I did enjoy the way in which the hospitalization was handled and felt that all rang true and was well researched. I would definitely read another by Ms. Berry as I enjoyed the fresh take. Thank you Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an in exchange for my review.

I was very interested by the synopsis of the book but unfortunately the story did not turn out as good as that. It did start off with lots of suspense. It was a page turner for me but eventually I was forcing myself to continue. And by the end I was disappointed.

Started off really suspenseful and kept me turning the pages. I was eager to see where the story was going but unfortunately by the end I was a little disappointed. Still thought it was a fairly decent thriller and would recommend it to others.

What lengths would you go to in order to keep the secrets of the past from haunting the future? Krystal and Nichole have a complicated past & now Nichole is being accused of attempting to kill her husband. Krystal wants to get to the bottom of the truth of the night in question but first must battle the secrets of their past.

Alternating between the past and present and between both sisters narrating kept things interesting and fast-paced. I can't say I was on the edge of my seat, but I was invested enough to want to know the truth. I didn't think there was as much depth to the story as I'd prefer, but it was a quick read.

I was super intrigued by the synopsis but sadly the story wasn't good enough for me. I love the twin sister's mystery trope, it's always so interesting!

Ty Netgalley * 4 stars

“The Secrets of Us”, by Lucinda Berry, is. psychological thriller about two foster sisters, Nichole and Krystal, with a dark past.

It is a story alternates between two sisters: The past (Nicholes perspective) and the present (Krystal’s perspective). One sister is being accused of a
crime, while the other sister wants to help. “The Secrets of Us” is a well fleshed out character study. Berry slowly reveals the troubled past, switching between past and present, which layers the story well.

“The Secrets of Us” requires the reader to pay close attention. The present is where everything happens between Nicole and her husband. The past, however, is where everything stems from.

I did feel there were some plot holes that left me with a few questions. Overall, I really enjoyed this one.

I really enjoyed this thriller by Lucinda Berry! It kept me guessing and I couldn’t wait to see where the story went. Thank you for giving me the chance to read it!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advanced review copy. This is well-written and has a tight plot that keeps you reading on.

I love Lucinda Berry and her dark twisted books. This is was another great read for me! It’s full of lies and secrets and untrustworthy characters and I love a book that’s told in past and present! You can just tell this author has perfect experience in this field of psychology to create such amazing knowledge filled novels!

The dual timelines in this story are what kept me reading. The timeline from the past sucked me in - full of twists, suspense, and excitement. The present timeline seemed to drag on and didn't have enough to keep my attention. I felt as if I was just putting up with those parts so I could get back to the "then" chapters. When they two timelines finally converged at the end I was hooked! But then, just like that, when it was finally getting really good, it was over. Whatever would have come next would have been a much more riveting read


I received a free ARC of this title from Thomas & Mercer publishing through Netgalley in exchange for mynhonest opinions and review of this book.

I really enjoyed the dual timelines in this story and I thought it was written well. I look forward to reading more by this author.

One sister sits in court and gets a call and gets a pause - her sister's house caught fire and her sister is in the mental health side of a local hospital. That's the opening drama and was enought to get me curious. But this plot quickly drug from there. The flashbacks felt tedious - the ins and outs of this really over-the-top awful foster mom and her perfect, squeeky wonderful biological daughter. The two foster sisters can't catch a break.

But soon the visits to the sister and her absolutely losing it got old as well. The whole middle felt like a very staggered and slow moving plot until there are some plot twists revealed and it got rolling again. Unfortunately, by then, I wasn't pulled in anymore. I am most disappointed with the ending. I wish I'd like this one more.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Lucinda Berry is an auto buy author for me so when I saw this available to request on Netgalley I immediately requested. I'm a bit late in reading it but it's no surprise I loved it! A solid psychological thriller with lots of twists! Thank you Netgalley!

3.5
The flashbacks were pretty engaging but the present day stuff...less so. Also, I was hoping for a twist at the end that just never materialized.

I really enjoyed the character development of this thriller. This was a great roller coaster of a ride and i will def check out more by this author in the future

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thankyou #netgalley #lucindaberry #thomasandmercer for the copy of this book for a honest review.
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⚠️childhood trauma.murder.cheating.
Cliffhanger.
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First of all, one of the best psychological story I have read in a while. Great writing styles and the thrill on every chapter will get you hooked.
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2 foster sisters. Trying to make it to life . Change their appearance after a little incident when they were little .
I get so annoyed with nicole’s husband, I want to punch him . That gets to me and impact me.
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Just gutted that it ends quickly, but looking forward for part 2 of this story.
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Also, listen to this book aswell on audible, the narrator was amazing too!


❤️shaye.reads

back then: Krystal & Nichole are foster sisters who've been living with Veronica Wheeler & her mom since they were young. then something terrible happens at a sleepover they have and it sticks with one of the sisters for years to come...

now: Nichole is put into a psych ward after starting her house on fire while locking her husband inside. Krystal races to her side & tries to figure out what really happened....

first of all, you got to love dual timelines & dual POV's. all the craziness the two sisters went through when they were young & then while adults. this book definitely shows how there's always 2 sides to every story and also, not everyone can handle certain things the same way. oh how I love Lucinda Berry! every book of hers I've read so far is amazing.