I ended up kind of enjoying this book. I found it a little slow to start but I quickly found myself engrossed in the plot. Adele and Connie have a great friendship and I really liked their characters. I loved the idea of the characters going into their favourite book but quickly finding out that it’s not what they thought it was. I think finding the dark sides of a known story is always more fun than if they just experienced all of the book. I loved the plot idea but for me, it just didn't play out how I thought it would and just wasn't the biggest fan of it overall.

I was really excited about this one but it just didn't do it for me. It didn't hold my attention and it was a slog to get through. I think some people will find interest in this but it wasn't for me unfortunately

I loved the Asylum series and so I was excited to try this one based on my track record with Roux and the premise. While I'm not sure it captured the magic of the Asylum series but I did have an enjoyable time. Like all Roux, I've read, this definitely skews on the younger side of YA which I know will put some people off. I can see how the Lovecraftian horror would put off some readers, but I had a good time with it.

Also what a cover.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I really tried with this one, but found it too difficult to connect with the characters. If you don’t run into that issue, the concept of going into a funhouse mirror version of a beloved story is super interesting! Also, I think the author is fantastic and I’ll definitely pick up more of their works.

Thank you so much Netgalley & Quill Tree Books!

This was one of those books that as soon as I picked it up, I could list my friends that I know would love every minute of it.

This YA, multi genre tale follows Adelle and Connie when they are thrown into the storyline of their favourite book set in Boston in Victorian times.

It was really interesting seeing how Adelle and Connie managed to make themselves fit into a world they were not expecting, while also sorting out how they could get themselves home. I really enjoy books where the characters get sucked into books and this one was no disappointment.

I'm not usually a fan of fantasy books, but the way the world building was built into the storyline. It didn't feel like the plot was lagging while we got to know the world - this is the only way to write fantasy in my opinion.

Two best friends are transported into their favourite book… sounds perfect right?

Unfortunately for them it is definitely not what they had hoped. The characters are not who they seemed, the world is not how it should be and then there are monsters on top of all that.

I enjoyed the story and would give it 3.5 stars. It had a good premise but felt confusing at certain times. I loved the MCs, especially Connie who you get to see evolve and start being her real self. There were some good side characters as well, Missi & Caid getting some good action and proving that side characters can be just as awesome as the MCs.

I struggled with the Wound creature and the overall whole concept of the creature and the humans in its stomach. Why were they in a stasis? How were they still alive? What was the point?

I would have loved to have more information given about how it got to this point. How long were the people living this way when no one really batted an eye about it. Why was the book rewriting itself now but never did when just the the first person came through the book?

And then the ending…. I’m not really sure what happened there but I didn’t see it coming. Also, as a parent, if my child disappeared for 48 hours and came back with scissors stuck in her chest, I wouldn’t be just brushing it off like it seems happened here.

So overall, good book, good characters, and Connie and Adele’s friendship was so sweet but there are so many questions that I need answered…. Like is there going to be a book 2?

This book had such a great premise and I really loved the characters, but it lacked plot and when I finished reading I had way too many unanswered questions about what happened.

This book could have been so good, but I found it somewhat chaotic.

I’m confused.

Best friend Connie and Adelle find themselves transported to the world of their favorite story, except that world that seemed magical and fantastical is hiding some dark secrets. Solid worldbuilding, excellent minor characters, and a fun touch of romance make this a solid choice if you love fantasy or gothic novels, although the ending may leave you wanting a sequel.

I had such high hopes for this one but maybe that's my own fault for hyping it up so high and having it fall flat. I loved the idea of being actually found in the pages of my favourite book, so I felt like this concept was a home run. Unfortunately, it just didn't stick for me. I really wanted more, and I can't even truly explain what more I wanted, but I just felt like there was so much more to be explored that would have raised the bar with this one. The book felt rushed, and in that I think is where I lost the magic I was hoping to be brought through.

This book was received as an ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books - Quill Tree Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own,

I absolutely loved the concept, structure, language use, and execution of this book. The Book of Living Secrets reminded me of a modern gothic version of the story/movie Pleasantville, where the characters somehow transport themselves inside the fantasy world they know and love rewriting the story that can impact the story as a whole. This time it's Adelle and Connie getting transported inside their favorite book Moira. Then comes a little dose of Tomorrowland. where the world they know and love, is turning dark and falling apart right before their eyes. Madeleine Roux was genius in writing this book in a way where the readers like Adelle and Connie can get transported inside the book as well with the vivid imagery, and well detailed characters. This book was such a joy, and treat to read and I can't wait to share this book with my colleagues, friends, family, and library patrons.

A creative, newwave, modern adventure of a lifetime. This book deserves 5 stars.

This book started off as a struggle to read. I struggled to follow the different timelines, at first. As I read, it made more sense. I enjoyed the character development and setting, but it was not my favorite novel.

I think I may have gone in to The Book of Living Secrets with too high of expectations. I’m always ready for a book within a book trope, but this wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. While it was entertaining and an adventure, I just feel like I wasn’t a huge fan of either of our MCs or the decisions they made throughout the story. However, I believe this is definitely a me thing, not the book, because I know I’m not the intended age group for this story. I’m interested to see what she does next!

This one was not my cup of tea. For some reason I couldnt get into the book. But with all books I appreciate the time and effort the author took to write this!

The premise had me hooked initially. Two girls diving into the world of their favourite novel? Heck yes. I loved Adelle and Connie's friendship and reading about their adventures and interactions through the world of Moira. Unfortunately, that's where the good ends. The entire ending was abrupt, lacklustre and tainted the rest of the book for me.

I just couldn’t finish this one.
I have tried reading books by this author before but I guess her book just aren’t for me.
It just couldn’t keep my attention at all. I do know some would love this one but just not for me.

I really, really, really wanted to love this book. I was super intrigued by the cover and the synopsis. As I started it though, I realized that it just wasn't going to be my favorite book of the year. I was curious to see how it was all going to be tied up and how it would end, and I will say, it did get much better by the second half.

This book is about two best friends, Adelle and Connie, who have a shared favorite book, Moira. Moira is a historical romance that, in theory, would be wonderful to get lost in. And the author did an incredible job with the world-building. So much of literature set in that Victorian time period is set in London, and so it was super fun to read about that time in America. The girls have the opportunity to travel into Moira, and Adelle leaps at the chance, dragging Connie along with her. The girls get sucked into this book, but nothing is as it seems, including the characters that these girls love so much. It was really fun to see the characters from different perspectives.

What I didn't love about this book is that it maybe was trying to be too much. When the girls get transported into the book, they discover that there is a Lovecraftian presence threatening the world that they love so much. I wish the horror aspect was more fleshed out. There were essentially three different parts of this book: the creature, the high society of the time, and the cowboy-type faction fighting against social convention.

I think for teens looking for a cute light romance with a splash of horror, this is a really fun book. The twists and turns did keep me interested, and a few times, I was in disbelief about how this all was going to come together. Like I wrote above, the world-building was so well-done, and I did really like how the book all came together. It also seems that there may be room for a sequel, so that could definitely be intriguing.

All in all, I did finish it because I had to know how it ended. I just wish the characters were less trope-y. I did enjoy the fast-paced aspect of it.

Recommended for ages 12+.

I absolutely loved "The Book of Living Secrets" by Madeleine Roux. The story that is told throughout the pages of this book leave you guessing until the end and even after, I could truly say that I could not put this book down and read it in two days. For anyone interested in a fantasy, suspense driven book, this is for you! You will not regret reading this book!

I was sold on wanting to read this when I read the synopsis and it said this was perfect for fans of The Hazelwood, which I absolutely adored. The plot to this book was where 2 best friends end up trapped inside the book that they both love- yet there is something wrong with the world and nothing is as it should be. Basically, everything is twisted up, dangerous, creepy and fantastically weird.

This was high on the spooky and odd, very unique premise and world building, I really had no idea what to expect next which was a pleasant surprise. The ending was so unexpected and a little abrupt, it is totally a WTF moment for the reader that I am sure the author loved to put in. Keep in mind this is not a series but a standalone and how this ends is it (which I appreciate, what mic drop moment!) This is the first book I have read from this author and I will definitely check out more from her in the future since I like her character development and great world building skills.

I normally love a Isekai, traveling into a fictional world has been the dream since Blue's Clues. However I wouldn't Blue skidoo into The Book of Living Secrets. I didn't make it past the exposition

. What slapped me out of this fictional world, was the word 'bodice ripper' being used by the Father figure. It's such a niche term, only book readers would know. So when book shaming his daughter, he also spewed out other titles that are 'classics'.

I couldn't get certain questions out of my head. Thus couldn't move on.