The Family Secret was a great read by Kiersten Modglin. Austyn Murphy and Lowell Bass are newly engaged and received the news that his parents have died unexpectedly. They go to the historic Bass estate to handle the affairs. The estate has layers of secrecy and tradition. The family within the walls give anything but a warm welcome. Austyn witnesses a side of her future husband that she never saw before when the idea of staying in the estate permanently is brought up. One late night, Austyn overhears a whispered conversation that tells her that she hasnt been given the full truth about the world shes marrying into. Her old friend Emily calls with news that leads the coupple to inviting her to join them at the estate. A rift is caused between Austyn and Emily with a confession Emily made. Austyn starts making chilling doscoveries about the family. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

I enjoyed this book! A good mystery! A bit slow in places but overall a good read. The characters were well developed and relatable.

Austyn accompanies her fiance Lowell to the Bass family estate once they hear about his parents' deaths. Once at the family home, Lowell becomes a different person and Austyn feels drawn to his brother Dallas. When her friend calls who is in the middle of separating from her husband, Lowell suggests she joins them at the Bass house. But then Austyn starts wondering if her friend is having an affair with Lowell. She also finds a diary from a housekeeper hidden in the house which suggests she had an affair with Lowell's grandfather. Many mysteries. Suspenseful but a little too far fetched. Enjoyed listening to it nonetheless.

Thank you to Net Galley for a advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have read all of Modglin’s book, and it’s either a hit or miss for me. This one was pretty good. I would have loved to get to know some of the characters better, but it is a fast read so I wasn’t too bothered by it. Overall pretty good read.

I dont know how the author does it. I just did a 4 book binge from her and there was no overlap or repeated stories! I thought the plot build up and the family secret were unpredictable and fun. It had some romantic tension that isnt often seen in her books but it kept me going. I think it was a good audiobook.. I personally love listening to her books instead of reading them she has a good audio team.

LOVE this author, her books are a hit or miss and this one was a hit I really liked this one and the narrator. Her books are fast read no doubt about that. I honestly could have gotten to know the characters better but regardless I enjoyed it and kept reading to find out more about Austyn and Lowell. With Modglin’s book you know you’re embarking on a trip where secrets will be revealed, and you itch to know what it will be. Austyn, our heroine, discovers a diary and you are introduced to Celine. We know something terrible has happened, but not exactly what. Modglin reveals just enough to keep you invested.

3.5 Stars ~

Thank you NetGalley for an opportunity to read this as an ARC in return for an honest review.

If you were marrying into a family of billionaires and your fiancé asked you to move into his family me soon after his parents tragically died, would you question it? Would you try and find reasons not to?
Or you would just kick up your feet and enjoy all the luxuries?

Austin travels with her fiancé Lowell back to his family home to support him in the sudden loss of his parents.
But there is just something not sitting right with Austin. Austin doesn’t know when to stop snooping.

This book was fast paced and action filled. But I just wants convinced with the ending. This was my first novel by this author, and I would pick up another of her books. Give this one a go !

A fast paced and twisty read!

Austyn Murphy and Lowell Bass are engaged to be married. After Lowell’s mother and father are killed in a car accident, Lowell returns home for the funeral bringing Austyn with him. They will need to stay for awhile in order to get his parents affairs in order.

They arrive at The Pond (cause it’s full of Bass...get it? Kind of cheesy but still funny) and Austyn is introduced to Lowell’s sister and brother. They don’t seem all that thrilled to meet her, but of course they are grieving.

Then Austyn receives a call from her old friend, Emily who is dealing with some struggles of her own. Austyn and Lowell invite Emily to visit them at The Pond and she takes them up on their offer.

It seems the Bass family has quite a few secrets. As Austyn learns more about Lowell and his family she starts to question her relationship with her husband to be.
Whispered conversations, a secret journal, and more leave Austyn with even more questions.

Will Austyn get the answers she wants?


Family secrets indeed!! So many secrets!

I was pulled into this story very quickly. There were many characters and relationships to try and keep straight. I did get confused a few times and had to go back and re-read or re-listen to a few paragraphs or pages.

Overall I thought this was a very good domestic suspense novel. It had some good twists and I definitely did not see the biggest one coming.

I am looking forward to reading more from Kiersten Modglin!

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

This was a fast paced thriller. A woman goes to her fiance’s parents’ home after their sudden deaths. The family is wildly wealthy. After she is there a while, she begins to feel uneasy, she begins to dig into old secrets. Is she in danger?

Another juicy thriller by Ms. Modglin who is quickly becoming one of my favorites! She knows how to bring the drama, twists and turns, great characters and, in her audiobooks, fabulous narration. Can't wait for the next one!

This was a twisty mystery, and I enjoyed coming along for the ride!

I loved how Kiersten Modglin was able to change my mind about various characters multiple times throughout the story. Did I love him? Did I hate him? Did I end up somewhere in between? Thinking back on the story, even now, I'm not sure what I feel. But the point is, I felt it while reading it, and I couldn't put it down!

I loved the inclusion of Celine Mason's journal, that it included her entries rather than just brushing over them and explaining what was included. It was beautifully put together, so much so that it felt like an accomplishment to figure parts of the story out before the main characters. But there was still so much that I hadn't figured out, and it was the perfect mix!

I'm looking forward to reading more from this author's booklist!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

One of my go to authors for thrillers. Kiersten Modglin is a freaking gift. And this book is no different.
The family secret will keep you guessing. And when you think you know, it twists again.

This book could have been a 4-star book if it wasn’t for the ending. The plot had potential. I was intrigued about what was going to happen. Austyn and Lowell were together for many years; you would think she would know more about his personality. The story is told from Austyn’s POV. The characters are one-dimensional, and Fallon changes completely to how she was at the beginning; it is like it was a different character altogether. I did like the story of the family members going back generations; I found it different. The other twist was not good at all; it seemed too improvable.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley, who provided me with the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully read audiobook and a novel that leaves you guessing up until the very end! I highly recommend!

Synopsis:
"Austyn, freshly engaged to Lowell, must uncover the truth about his powerful and opulent family...at the risk of becoming another one of their dark secrets."

My Thoughts:
As Austyn travels to Lowell's family home after his parents unfortunate and suspicious passings she quickly begins to realize that not all is as it seems. With Lowell's siblings not always welcoming and behaving strangely, Austyn finds herself unsure of how to process the family and the clues that she begins to uncover there.
Another fun, twisty book by Kiersten Modglin. This author does a great job writing fast -paced stories where the plot grabs your attention and keeps you engaged. While the characters are a bit one dimensional the need to know what happens next is what draws me in and keeps be reading.
A quick read that doesn't require a lot of concentration to "keep up" with the story, Kiersten Modglin's books are the perfect beach/pool side reads.

⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)

Thank you to @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for the gifted copy of this book.

I found the plot somewhat confusing and intricate (as of now I'm not sure I grasped everything about the family secret the title refers to). If you like red herrings and family intrigues that remind you a bit of soap operas, this book is perfect for you!

There’s a lot to unpack here. I enjoyed the audio! It was quick, binge-able, and full of surprises. The beginning was promising, with two different situations unraveling in their own suspenseful way. Unfortunately, both ended up falling flat for me. There were too many characters and relationships to follow. By the end, I wasn’t interested in the story anymore. This was less thrilling and more dramatic, so if you're into that- you'll likely enjoy this.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC!

In true Kiersten Modglin fashion this one is full of twists and is a quick read. It grips you fast as you try to unravel the family secret. You must fully suspend belief in the process. The twist got me, and you feel like you have things figured out, and nope you don’t. I just didn’t fully connect with this one and I’m sure it won’t stick with me. I do enjoy this author’s work so will check out her next for sure!
The narrating was average.
Thank you to @netgalley and @dreamscape for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley, Kiersten Modglin & Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC of this book.

This was my first Modglin book and it won't be my last. It was a super fast listen/read that was addictively gripping with twists you won't see coming.

It was fast paced, mysterious and very well written.

I love this authors work so much. This book had me hooked from the beginning. I was constantly trying to figure out what was going to happen in this book. I think it was done so well.