Austin and Lowell are in love. When Lowell's parents die in a car accident, Austin returns home with him for the funeral. She knew his family was wealthy, but she had no idea how wealthy until she gazes up at the mansion where Lowell's family lived. As she meets his family for the first time, she gets a sense of dark undercurrents running through them. Each day, more questions arise that have Austin questioning her relationship with her fiancé. The discovery of a hidden diary from decades earlier pushes Austin into the dark secrets of the family. 
Let me start by saying that this was an audiobook I "read". The narrator did a great job of giving emotion to the dialogue and enunciating the words correctly. I enjoyed listening to the book. 
The beginning of the book was a little slow as the author set up the characters. It was far from boring, but the pace of the story didn't pick up until Austin's friend called and she found the diary. Then I found myself unable to stop listening. I tried to figure it all out ahead of time as I do with so many books that have a mystery in them, but this one had me going all over the place. I mean that in a good way. It began with me following along with Austin's train of thought. Then I diverged. Then I went back. Then we both were all over the place. What is really going on?
As I listened to the book, I placed myself firmly on the edge of my seat. Chapter by chapter went by as I held my breath. The end…. I won't go there. But it was good. 
The audiobook only took me a couple of days to finish. Relatively "short" read and entertaining plot. The author masterfully pulled me along on a thrilling ride. 
If you like mystery books with family drama, you really need to read this book. You can get your copy here.

Wow! The twists and turns in this book are SOOOO good! I am a sucker for a happy ending and that's kinda what I got. I wasn't expecting this to end so positively so I was definitely pleasantly surprised! This is, as usual for Kiersten Modglin, a MUST-read!

#TheFamilySecret
#NetGalley

Oh my god, Kiersten Modglin has done it yet again. I am always SO impressed with her writing and this one was no exception. I was so obsessed with this novel that I couldn't stop listening as soon as I started. This had everything I love in a good domestic thriller: betrayal, secrets, unreliable characters, murder, and a wealthy family set in a grand estate. I was immediately drawn in by this wealthy family and their allure. I loved the character development of Lowell & Austyn as well as Dallas but wished we had gotten a bit more of Fallen because she seemed like she could have been super interesting to follow as well. I was completely shocked by the turn of events at the end and found the ending to be interesting and unpredictable. This was a quick listen and exactly what I needed to cleanse my pallet after several 3 star reads. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Family Secret is a fun, fast-paced thriller about a woman who finds out her new fiancé’s family is not quite what they seem.

I always love an unhinged thriller and I especially love a quick, fast-paced one. Kierstin Modglin gets right to the juicy story and never lets up on the pace in The Family Secret. I had fun. I was entertained. I was glued to my headphones. 4 stars.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the Audiobook version of this ARC story in exchange for a honest review.

Runtime is pretty short which is surprising given the intricate plot. Characters were well developed and the storyline meandered through thrills, kills and tension quite nicely. It was a good little listen for a day off. Good performance with range of voice acting male and female characterisation. Highly recommend.

The sudden death of Lowell's parents makes him the head of the Bass family and business. And just like that Austyn and Lowell's quiet lives take a drastic change. Unfortunately, Bass's family wealth and expectations weigh heavy on Austyn, but in the name of love, she does her best to stand with her man. One day, she comes across a hidden diary that contains a vital secret about the family she is about to marry. Unable to keep the secret, Austyn puts herself in grave danger.

The Family Secret is one of a kind family thriller. I enjoyed the mystery, the family's dark secret, and the overall plot of the novel. Great set of characters that begin to change as the novel goes on, making the reader to second guess their own judgment about them. This is one of many Kiersten Modglin novels I've read in the past year, and the author does not disappoint with her new twists and plot ideas.

Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel.

You can tell something is fishy with the relationship between Lowell and Austyn, but it made the story more intriguing to listen to. I was suspicious of the best friend too. Lots of predicted twists also. Overall, a pretty decent thriller. Not Modglin's best in my opinion, but I will continue to read and listen to all her work.

The narrator was just okay, in my opinion. She didn't do a bad job, but I wasn't into her voice either.

I enjoyed this book. It definitely was a slow burn, and a little predictable, but overall a good read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a gripping and intense thriller. From the beginning there was something off with Lowell’s family and I knew they were sketchy. This book sucked me in from the beginning and kept my interest throughout. I am becoming a big fan of Kiersten’s books, she has a way of pulling readers in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for this ARC. I’ve read The Quiet Retreat by this author and I enjoyed that read. I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Family Secret. It felt like too much was going on and also not a lot was happening. I thought the narrator did a great job, but I found it hard to tell the characters apart.

Although I didn’t love this book, I would read more from Kiersten in the future.

Although I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my review, all opinions remain my own. Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape media for the opportunity to listen to this novel.

This book was a wild ride. While I have read a few of the "family secret" type books, this one is by far one of my favorites. Until the very end, I had no idea what the secret was or how things were going to play out. It did have some of the troupes that many of these books have like the rich man sweeping the not so wealthy woman off her feet, taking her into a world that is so unlike her own. The girl being so overwhelmed by the opulence of the wealth. The fact that this book starts with the death of his parents made this start out a little differently then I was used to, and I kind of appreciated that. It made for a relationship that felt more real (at least in my opinion). This one kept me guessing what was going to happen until the last pages. The epilogue made the ending for me. Loved that wrap up like a bow on a fancy present.

Love a family secret/drama! This was well done and keep invested until the end. A little one-dimensional, but I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Austyn and her fiance, Lowell receive a phone call from Lowell's sister telling them that both of their parents were killed in an "accident". They rush home to "The Pond" which is a huge mansion complete with a separate wing specifically for the hired help. Austyn knew Lowell was rich but didn't realise how very rich he was. Austyn finally meets her future sister-in-law and brother-in-law and bad boy type Dallas. While Lowell is meeting with lawyers to review the will with his siblings, Austyn comes across a diary hidden in a floor register in the closet and she can't help but read it. Turns out there are a lot more secrets in the Bass Family than anyone could imagine. Hang on tight this one is a good one and it will keep you intrigued all the way through. Enjoy!!!

I always enjoy the fast-paced suspense of this author's books. This latest had me hooked from the beginning of the story. The characters had real potential and the edgy expectancy kept building and building.
Yet, as the book neared its conclusion, it lost momentum. The family members became so evil and the horrific twist of events were just a bit too far-fetched for me. Yet, I look forward to her next tale.
The narrator was wonderful. Her voice and intonation gave the book that apprehensive edge.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all of Modglin’s book, and love them all. Moglin’s strength is the fast pace that never lets up, making you want to continue with just one more chapter. Give this book a try!

The Family Secret by Kiersten Modglin published date April 2023 Newly engaged Austyn and Lowell are called to the family mansion because his parents have been killed. But this family has so many secrets. Can Austyn solve them without being killed. This is a good read Some mystery

I enjoyed the beginning as the author began to set the scene and identify the main characters. The young couple, who have been together for 7 years, are engaged to be married when the man, Lowell Bass, is called home because both of his parents have suddenly died in a car accident. He brings his fiancée to his family estate/home for the first time.

Once at the Bass family estate/home (mega mega wealthy) things began to quickly fall apart for me. When characters who are so beloved turn on a dime to the other side, it just was hard to go with it and didn’t ring true. Other characters start out negatively and become the good ones?

I wanted to love it but was disappointed bc it had promise.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my Audiobook copy.

I quite enjoyed this book. It was quick paced, and I couldn't put it down 30 chapters in. It had a great plot, wonderful setting and was only around 6 hours of listening which is a pretty short audiobook. There is definitely drama and twists to keep one engaged; however, things did turn south a bit around chapter 33. Many things happened that were a bit far-fetched and incredulous to believe. There are many unlikable and stupid characters here. Austyn nor Emily are not characters to champion and Dallas although I do like him turns out to be a pretty stupid character, Austyn is such an unlikable character! I really don't know who is worse, Austyn or Emily.

I really loved the book in the beginning, but it took a dip for me in the later chapters, and I didn't particularly like the ending. I think this is because certain characters are unlikable, so you don't really root for them. I also feel there is a huge gap in the backstory of Dallas and what led up to him making certain decisions. There has to me more to his story and the path he chose otherwise it doesn't make a bit of sense! I do love the two timelines and hearing the things that took place as I add the pieces together to solve the puzzle. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that kept my interest.

I would recommend this book and definitely read more by this author.

Austyn has a successful bakery and a rich fiancée. But when Lowell’s parents unexpectedly die, they must travel to the Bass Estate to set the family’s affairs in order. The estate doesn’t feel welcoming, wrapped in traditions, secrets, and formality. Austyn feels like she’s not getting the whole story, especially when she overhears whispered conversations and discovers a secret journal. Does she actually know anything about the family she’s marrying into? And are these secrets as dangerous as they seem?

The premise of this work was interesting. I do enjoy family secrets, betrayals, and outsiders getting drawn into those affairs. However, this work didn’t quite do those tropes justice. It felt like the author had some interesting ideas but that they all stayed somewhat surface level. I never really became drawn into the secrets and reveals. This was partly because it was an intensely slow buildup and then everything happened so fast that there was no time to become immersed or invested.

The characters were not written well enough for me to become fully immersed in them or their lives, feeling one-dimensional and stereotypical. The sexual tension between the protagonist and one of the secondary characters felt like more of a convenient plot point and less of a true, realistic occurrence. I also disliked how the characters’ emotions/actions changed to forward the plot. When things were escalating towards the end, it was like a switch was flipped for several of them and they became completely different people. This didn’t feel realistic and added towards my lack of connection with the characters.

Overall, this read was somewhat entertaining and short, but was also predictable and lacking in some important areas. My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Kiersten is the QUEEN of suspense. i love her writing so much. this was a great read! i loved all the twist and turns. wish there was more at the ending, i felt like there needed to be more! and it just ended.