she did it again! she writes some of the twistiest books ive ever read. I can't get enough of them. im always on the edge of my seat and I never see the twist coming. I can't recommend enough

THE FAMILY SECRET by Kiersten Modglin and narrated by Jennifer Sun Bell grabs you on the first page and packs a punch throughout.
Austyn and her rich fiancé Lowell return to ‘The Pond’, his family estate, after the death of his parents. Dark and foreboding, the house offers little in the way of warmth and at first glance, Lowell’s siblings don’t offer much more than a cursory hello. While Lowell is consumed with taking care of the estate, Austyn finds herself struggling with whether or not she can leave her home and bakery to move with Lowell so he can take over the family business.
When the third spoke in their old college friendship wheel reports that she and her husband are breaking up, she (Emily) is looking for a place to stay while she figures things out. Perfect! Come stay at The Pond.. While Emily seems distracted and unavailable, Austyn accidentally happens upon an old diary from a previous resident of the house. She begins looking into the very short life of Celine Mason.
As she brushes the dust off the diary and peels back the layers of Celine’s story, there are truths and lies that are hidden underneath. Lowell begins a campaign to get Austyn to marry him quickly so he can start ‘protecting her’. Who does she need protecting from? When she finds an ally in the most unlikely place, she wonders who she can trust.
This was my first novel by this author but it won’t be the last. I am intrigued by some of her other works. I liked the smooth, easy writing style as well as the narration by Ms. Bell. I could imagine the creaking of the doors as people tiptoed around the house to spy or hide, I’m still not sure which. I felt like there were cobwebs in some of the corners and just hoped none got tangled in my hair. Great Job!

4/5 stars

Thank you Dreamscape Media for the advanced listening copy!

Austyn Murphy and Lowell Bass have just gotten engaged when they get the tragic news that both of Lowell's parents have passed away suddenly. They must now travel to the Bass estate, known as The Lake, to work with Lowell's siblings on getting the affairs in order. And the affairs, Austyn soon finds out, are anything but in order. As she settles into the mansion, she is thrown so many unexpected things, including a visit from her best friend, Emily, with tragic news of her own. With a vintage secret, her best friend's own confession, and a sudden proposal to stay at The Lake permanently, Austyn must uncover the truth about her soon-to-be husband and his family before it's too late.

As with all of Kiersten Modglin's books, this was a fast-paced, twisty and fun read. Her writing is pretty simple, but that doesn't take away from the complexities of her stories. Austyn was an extremely likeable, albeit suspicious, character, and it was fun to follow along with her throughout the book. I was really surprised by the way things turned out, and there were definitely some twists that left me totally shocked. Overall, this was a really solid thriller and worth the quick read!

Odd, very odd indeed. I find this author rather hit and miss, sometimes I love her books, sometimes I think what the heck? This is one of the latter.

It wasn't bad per se, but implausible, and terribly far-fetched on many levels, especially towards the end. The whole áffair' between Emily and Lowell... really? Who would continue with their wedding plans convinced their husband-to-be and best friend were having an affair? And the staff being loyal to the death... Is that really true? I suppose in some cases it's possible, but only at a stretch. The narrator was also not my favourite, but that's just me.

2.5 rounded down to 2 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an early audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I am so so disappointed.
I love this author, and the few books I’ve read from her, but this was not it for me.
This was quite a bit predictable and weird?!
The whole ending was just kinda cringey for me.

Austyn thought she knew the man she was marrying, but when Lowell's parents die and he is forced into the role of the head of the Bass family, she ends up seeing a side of him she never imagined. Making maters more complicated is Emily's arrival at the Bass family home. Emily was Austyn and Lowell's friend at college, but there is something odd about Emily and Lowell's friendship that Austyn is just not able to put her finger on.

The Bass family always protects their own and Austinn is not a Bass...yet. It's a good story overall, but some of the the twists were a bit too heavy or far-fetched for me to digest.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

An amazing domestic thriller full of secrets, drama and suspense. This was a slow burner but once the basics was built I was hooked. I loved the mix of dynamic characters and especially Austyn, her narrative lead the book really well and the tension she feels in the house jumped through the pages. The writing was great and sucks you into this family and hidden past, the only problem was I wanted more it was too good.

3.5 stars!
Austyn is engaged to Lowell after a whirlwind romance. She hasn’t really had the chance to meet his family when they get the news that both of his parents have died. They return home to Lowell’s family estate, which is massive. Austyn learns that Lowell’s family is really wealthy and that his relationship with his siblings is very dysfunctional. After their parents’ will is read, the tension mounts.

I listened to this audiobook thanks to @librofm, @dreamscapemedia and @netgalley. It was pretty entertaining and pretty unrealistic. I would describe this as a “fluffy” thriller, one that you have to go in knowing it’s purely for entertainment purposes. I was having fun with it, until the ending just veered off in a crazy way that gave me the ick. However, I liked the first 90%. It was fast paced and amusing.

Their new home has a terrifying secret…

When freshly engaged Austyn Murphy and Lowell Bass receive the news that Lowell’s parents have died unexpectedly, they set out for the historic Bass estate to handle their affairs and lay the former heads of the family to rest…

A win for Modglin! I love how fast paced and thrilling her books are. Binged this one in a day!

The family is quickly suspicious. At first everyone seems friendly, but quickly turn icy and suspicious. Austyn starts to uncover some family secrets and her fiancé’s family, her best friend, and fiancé himself are clearly trying to keep something a secret. Who has her back and who is playing games?

I love how the end of Modglin’s books can get so action packed! Secrets that involve money mean lots of drama as the story spirals with quite a villain at the end.

3.5 stars

A solid domestic thriller with a couple of well timed curve balls. Everything came together at the end although the family relations aspect made my head spin a bit. The audio version was light and well performed. A perfect summer/beach/airplane read.
Thank you Dreamscape Audio and Netgalley for an advanced copy.

Lowell and Austyn were meant to be, they were together for years and Now they are engaged and ready to plan their wedding when they hears an unfortunate news of the death of Lowell's Parents.

Lowell is the eldest from the very rich and established Bass Family, After the death of his parents, Lowell and Austyn returns to their official house 'The Pond' which is to be Inherited to them. Austyn is taken aback by the life Lowell had and the mansion of a house he lived in which is very different from the normal life she had with him. Despite all this, she wants to return to her normal life but yet needs to support Lowell.

Things starts to change when she starts living there surrounded by his siblings and Lowell is not the person she thought he is and discovers the secrets of the family endangering herself in the situation.

I loved the pace of the plot and it easily pulls you into the family drama. The ending was predictable and the story went in completely different direction than I wanted. Recommending to beginners who want an engaging and thrilling read.

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

The Family Secret was a story about a woman named Austyn and her fiance, Lowell, who return to his family’s estate after the death of his parents. She is introduced to his siblings for the first time and they are resistant to having her there. Her good friend who she hasn’t seen in a couple of years comes to stay after contacting Austyn about some issues she is having. I have read a few other books by this author and enjoyed them, but this one wasn’t my favorite. The ending was a bit thrilling, but the first ¾ of the book fell a little flat for me. I really didn’t understand what Austyn saw in Lowell at all, unless he had a total personality change when they arrived at “The Pond.” I still plan to read several other books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I always love a book thriller with family secrets and drama and this was full of that. I enjoyed the drama unfolding and how the mc couldn't trust anyone in her husband's family. It was a solid thriller and the narrator did a fantastic job. I would recommend this if you need a short, fast paced thriller for a readathon or if you just love drama.

Kiersten Modglin's The Family Secret is a gripping thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Austyn, the protagonist, finds herself marrying into a wealthy and powerful family, only to discover that they are hiding dark secrets that could destroy her. As she tries to uncover the truth, she's drawn deeper into their twisted world and forced to confront her own demons.

Modglin's writing is engaging, and she creates a sense of unease and tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-drawn, and the setting of the family's eerie mansion, called The Pond, adds to the creepy atmosphere. As Austyn navigates the family's web of lies and deceit past and present, you're left wondering who to trust and what their true motives are.

While the book's climax may have been a bit far-fetched for some me, the ending is satisfying and doesn't feel like a stretch. Overall, The Family Secret is a solid thriller that will keep you entertained and guessing until the very end. Modglin is definitely an author to watch in this genre.

Kiersten Modglin does it once again!! The Family Secret is such a captivating thriller packed with lots of awesomeness!! If you’re looking for shocking twist, eerie estate, moments to keep you reading through the night and so much more this one is for you!!


Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion. I really enjoyed the narration as well! Kept me listening through the night! I had to know what was going to happen next! Can’t wait to see what the author has up next!!! Absolutely love these quick, fast paced thrillers the author is putting out in record time!!

Not sure what I just read. Not sure why I read it either. This book had a certain appeal, but unfortunately there were many things that could have been better.

The beginning was promising. In fact, a good chunk of the book was ok, if a bit bland. Sure, there were quite a few plot holes and things that didn't make much sense. But I thought it might be a good option for when you need just a light, brainless, easy read to cozy up with on a slow afternoon.

But at some point, you just have to get fed up with the characters, inconsistencies and plot holes.

And also, shall we talk about the super weird scene towards the end? On the second thought, let's not and just try to forget it ever happened.

On the other hand, there was an entertainment value I appreciated about this story as a whole. At least that was my experience with this book.

A huge thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with an audio arc of The Family Secret by Kiersten Modglin.

4.5/5 ⭐
0.5/5 🌶️
3.0/5 🎧

Another fantastic addition to KMod's collection of stories. It never fails that I feel like I have it all figured out, only to be so incredibly wrong. I even told myself, this can't be what it seems, it's too easy! and I still fell for my theories... I just love her mind and how she brings these stories to life.

The narration was okay. She did a great job with the voice, but there were a few mispronunciations that were hard to look past.

I really enjoyed all of these characters. I had a soft spot for Dallas early on, the black sheep of the family who you wouldn't trust on the surface, but your gut tells you otherwise. Emily was giving me bad and weird vibes from the beginning, that bish is hiding something, amirite? I was actually so so about Austin and Fallon, and had weird feelings about Lowell too. Of course, these feelings constantly changed throughout the book as I tried to remember which way was up and which way was down.

The mystery was really fun and interesting. I loved the added element of Austin reading the mystery journal. It's always a good time trying to guess how the past correlates to the present. Granted I was so far from right on all of those theories... The epilogue was great and I was happy to see a happily ever after for those who deserved it!

Please note that while I gave this one a teeny tiny little half pepper, it's really brief and not in the best situation. This is far from a spicy romance book.

A thriller that takes a deep look into a moneyed families' estate following the tragic death of the parents. A slow burn thriller, that at some points felt a little confusing, but overall had a satisfying ending. Austyn is happily engaged to her fiance, Lowell Bass and is excited to begin her new life with him. Suddenly they hear the news of his parent's sudden death and rush home to the family estate. Once they arrive, Austyn realizes there are so many things Lowell is keeping from her. While there, the secrets start to unravel, including the reason Lowell is in such a hurry to move up the wedding.

A quick audiobook, that at times felt rushed with character development, but that only meant the suspense built very quickly. A solid thriller with a satisfying ending.

Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

this book is out now!

The Family Secret by Kiersten Modglin is another suspenseful, fast-paced, and highly entertaining read.
The narrator, Jennifer Sun Bell, did an amazing job voicing the characters and portraying their emotions.
This story was well written and the pacing was on point.
I thought the suspense was built perfectly throughout the story.
Once I started listening I couldn’t stop.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
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KMOD is one of my “go-to” authors, this story line kept me interested but I honestly didn’t care what happened to the MC either way. I’d definitely read more from KMOD, make no mistake! The narrator was great!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.