Cover Image: A Secret Gift

A Secret Gift

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I have to say I really enjoyed this book! It had a great setting and I liked the characters. It is about Joy who has a second chance at turning her life around. Her life changes in many areas as we see her take on more challenges. I liked seeing Joy’s life and how it impacted others around her too. I thought the author did a great job in dealing with grief as well. Very well written and I would recommend this one!

Was this review helpful?

This is about restarting her life. A pleasant read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely story of re starting your life after you have lost the love of your life. Moving jobs . Finding a new love and being handed a magical power . Just a great relaxing read. I loved how the pebbles helped people. Wish it happened in real life. The book makes you feel good.

Was this review helpful?

Very different book. Joy lost her husband 3 years ago and is still very unhappy. She works in a care home where Hope gives her the gift of collecting. Loved this book

Was this review helpful?

One amazing book! I was immediately drawn to it as soon as I saw the cover. I wasn't expecting this storyline - it was my first time I read something like this. It makes you reflect on real life and how you can improve other people's happiness. Definitely recommend and I am looking forward for more books by this author!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. The character development is good, and it's well written. I liked that there was a bit of a supernatural element, but in a nice way, not a spooky one. I also enjoyed the Cornwall setting.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

It’s been three years ago since Joy was left alone as she lost her firefighter husband. Since then she’s not the person she was when he was with her.

Then she meets Hope, whose a resident at the nursing home, where Joy works as a Carer.

Hope, wants to pass on a secret gift, but what is it and how does it change Joy’s life?

In her hometown, living amongst the community the gift has changed Joy’s life and now she’s got new friends and a new love as well as some opportunities . But apart from that, she’s got back what she’d lost….. joy.

An enjoyable read.

Was this review helpful?

I received this book via NetGalley and give it my honest opinion.

If you do one thing this year, read this book! It is a heartwarming story full of hope. Sometimes a second chance is all that is needed.
I really enjoyed this read and recommend it wholeheartedly.
Well written and full of love and hope.

Was this review helpful?

What a fabulous unusual and unique story which I absolutely loved reading. We meet Joy who due to circumstances, finds herself working in a care home. Its at the home where she meets and forms a bond with an elderly resient Hope. Sadly Hope passes away but not before gifting Joy a jar of pebbles. The pebbles hold a special secret and it's Joys task to work this out. We meet lots of wonderful characters along Joys journey. This is such a lovely heartwarming story, love, loss, friendship and a touch of mystery & magic.

Was this review helpful?

A gentle quick read with a good heart warming feel and a touch of magic from an unusual gift. An interesting and original storyline set in Cornwall and dealing with a few emotive issues. A delightful set of characters to engage with plus a couple of baddies for a more balanced mix. Definitely a light feelgood book to lift the spirits without being too complicated.

Was this review helpful?

This is a novel about friendship, hope and second chances. One I read in one sitting. I loved it!

Joy inherits a gift to pass on joy to those around her - to change their lives and destinies - and her own.

This is a very gentle read where the main character finds happiness and fulfilment after a really testing time.

A feel good story to lift your spirits.

Was this review helpful?

The story of Joy who has experienced sadness with the loss of her husband. A chance meeting turns her life around and she realises she can make changes not just in her own life but for others too.
Her life changes in every area and we follow her as she embarks on a new career, friendships, relationship and as she spreads joy and happiness.

Was this review helpful?

A really quirky, original read. Great characters and well written. I loved saying how Joy embraced the gift she was given and came out of her shell. Great book.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely book, about Joy, who is party to a secret of a dying patient. Her life is changed forever. A read to make you feel good with lots of hidden messages.

Was this review helpful?

I could not put this book down. Even though there were parts tinged with sadness it was such an uplifting book. I loved it!

Joy works in an nursing home and has got friendly with one of the residents Hope. One day Hope gives Joy a jar of pebbles along with a secret, a gift to help others and herself and Joy's life is changed forever.

I loved the concept of this book it's unusual, magical and set in an idyllic setting.

Definitely one to read!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC

Was this review helpful?

When I finished this book I felt like I had been given one of the pebbles, I loved how Joy was able to help people and how they then continued the cycle of kindness. I loved the characters, I loved the setting and know I will read this book again, something I rarely do. I enjoyed every page and would recommend the book, which deserves more than five stars

Was this review helpful?

This story is sappy and corny AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! A really sweet premise that I haven’t seen before. Everyone who reads this will be like me - wishing that this could really happen. The first person Joy helps broke my heart and hit close to home. The follow through is magical. I totally recommend this charming book to EVERYONE!

Was this review helpful?

Joy lives alone with her cat. After losing her husband Sean, three years ago she gave up her job as a TA and is now working in a care home.
She has met a lovely lady nearing the end of her life called Hope and she is amazed when Hope gives her a big jar of pebbles. This jar of pebbles is a gift that will lead Joy to new friends, a new job and who knows what else and in the process she will also change other people's lives.

Was this review helpful?

This book is perfect for a beach read with the Cornish coast as its backdrop. It was easy to read and very heartwarming for anyone looking for a second chance in life. Crystals and auras may not be your thing but it was certainly a different topic to read about and sometimes it’s nice to escape into another world, in this case people helping complete strangers and sharing some kindness with a simple pebble. I have friends who are into auras so I could relate, even though I cannot see them myself. The book’s cover would be enough to draw me in if I saw it in a bookshop; beautiful bright colours. Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK for letting me read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is a very sweet book.

Joy is working in a care home, trying to move on with her life after the death of her husband some years ago. When Hope, one of the residents, passes her a letter and a jar of pebbles shortly before she dies, Joy finds new purpose. Soon she is changing lives; her own amongst them.

It’s an interesting idea, that emotions can be lifted and shared. I wish they could! I was very perplexed by teachers and support staff being late for work, Willy nilly. It just doesn’t happen in real life. And if you’ve read the book and know the plot you’ll understand how much that irritated me when I say that it was the least believable bit for me. Apart from that, I thought the author did a good job with the characters, keeping them likeable and interesting. The whole book is nicely written and well paced and I’d definitely read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?