When Arthur Benton Stanhope III dies, he leaves the three closest women in his life to figure out what's next. His wife Sylvia is determined to marry their youngest daughter Adelaide off to a wealthy suitor so they can retain their lifestyle. His mother Junietta is determined to inspire them to pursue their dreams and true love. Adelaide doesn't know what to do it who to please. Throughout the book, both Junietta and Sylvie share many secrets from their pasts that led to who they are and what they believe now. While I can't elaborate on them without spoilers, they are numerous and powerful.
Lots of emotions from this. The two older women have tragic backgrounds and shocking secrets. Between their stories and their present Gilded Age, thirteen characters die. Yeah. Wasn't ready for that. The degrees of tragedy vary, including a couple that are particularly disturbing. But after getting annoyed at being provoked to sadness to many times by the first half (or just over) of the book, inspiring events began unfolding that almost had me crying in public while reading. This book is complex and thought provoking with a large cast of distinctive characters. I definitely would not call it light reading, but well done. I do wish we got answers to a couple open-ended questions and ideas, but they were comparatively small.

Lynn Austin is one of my most favorite authors. This was a wonderful book about the keeping of secrets in families. I loved how these three generations supported and loved each other after the sharing of their secrets. We can all learn from their stories. This was another book by Lynn Austin that I didn't want to end!

Another masterpiece by Lynn Austin! There has NOT been a book by this author that I haven’t loved. I was so excited to get to read this book. I have read it slowly because my mother passed away after I started reading.
I loved the characters and the plot, well there may be one that I didn’t like but he was necessary to make a wonderful book. I loved Junietta’s past stories and the present ones. I was really caught up in each part of the this story. I loved all three ladies as they tried to navigate their way in life without A.B Stanhope and without the vast amount of money they thought they had. They were not used to having to worry about financial loss. Junietta wants Adelaide’s life to be more than just a rich married lady. Will Sylvia and Adelaide learn what’s really important? The important lesson of forgiveness and the secrets that are divulged makes all three ladies closer.
If you’ve ever read a book by this author you will know what a treat it is. If you haven’t read one by this author do yourself a favor and read this book.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and a paperback from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

This story is about three generation of women whose choices effected their future. It was a little bit slower paced than I prefer but the story line was well written. I love how the author showed the perspective of all three women in the story. The overall meaning behind this book is that greed does not buy you happiness, neither do materialistic things. When you are surrounded by the people you love and care about, that is true happiness.

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

It's been a while since I read a book by this author but this story has made Lynn Austin a must-read author for me! All My Secrets is the tale of three generations of Stanhope women who've known joy, grief, and heartache. Sylvia, the daughter-in-law, was a little harder for me to love but I adored the matriarch, Junietta Stanhope. Mimi Juni proved that wealth and power must never take precedence over love and family, and it was such a joy to witness her wisdom. As the story developed, I was thrilled to see that her granddaughter, Addy, showed great promise in becoming just as special as her grandmother!

All My Secrets is set in New York during the last years of the 19th century and Austin gives readers an excellent view into the lives of the wealthy and affluent families who lived during the Gilded Age. This was a time when women were dependent on their wealthy husbands, and most were content to allow this to happen! Most, that is, until Junietta Stanhope arrived on the scene!

This is a stunning story that I won't forget, and I'd love to see it made into a movie. If you enjoy historical fiction and Christian romance, please grab a copy of this book. I believe that you'll be as entranced as I was!!

I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

Set in the Gilded Age of Edith Wharton’s New York City, the unexpected death of an affluent businessman results in the secrets of three generations of women coming to light. Arthur Benton Stanhope (known as AB) is the son of family matriarch Junietta, the husband of socialite Sylvia, and the father of Adelaide, a young woman about to be presented to society. AB’s last will & testament leaves the house to his wife, but the bulk of his fortune to an estranged uncle and male cousin. Think of the entailment in “Pride & Prejudice” where Mr. Collins stands to inherit. And just like “Pride & Prejudice” the sudden reversal in fortune places a great deal of pressure on young Adelaide to make a good match, i.e. a wealthy one.

Sylvia sells off furniture and art in order to finance dinners to which the eligible men of NYC are invited. Adelaide is introduced to various rich, but flawed, suitors. In between galas and balls, her grandmother, Junietta, invites Adelaide to accompany her as she visits her various charities in the low-income areas of the city. Adelaide is faced with a choice between two different sets of values. The gradual unveiling of her mother and grandmother’s secrets inform her decision. I enjoyed seeing the growth in each character’s life and the closeness that is developed as they drop pretense and share their mistakes.

I've been left astounded and speechless by this captivating story. I'm literally struggling to put into words what it is about this book that drew me in and kept me turning pages long into the night. The characters, the storyline, the scenery, the lessons ... it's truly all so good!

The women of All My Secrets are intelligent, resilient, and highly respected within their community. When A.B. Stanhope dies an untimely death, he leaves his mother, wife, and youngest daughter without anything but a relatively small inheritance and the home they live in. They must depend on one another and work together to decide what their futures will look like. Part of their decision-making process is learning secrets they've long kept hidden from the world. As these secrets are shared, they have the power to change and shape each of them. The lessons of faith and living it out were my favorite part of this story. Discovering the pasts that made the two eldest Stanhope women who they are is heart-wrenching, but also beautiful and hopeful for their futures and all that God has blessed them with. I loved it. The words just flowed so easily and kept me drawn in throughout. Very well done!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Years ago, I worked as a church biographer. Every month, I would pick a person or family in the church, interview them, and then write a human-interest-type article about them that would get published in the monthly church newsletter. The thing I grew to really like about it is how someone would go from being 2D to 3D. I came to learn that most people are a lot more interesting than they may seem on the surface. This book reminded me of that. This is a book about three women living in New York City around the turn of the century: Sylvia, Adelaide, and Junnie. When the book begins, A. B. Stanhope just died unexpectedly. A. B. was Sylvia's husband, Adelaide's father, and Junnie's son. They all live together in a large mansion. As a result of A. B.'s death, they no longer have access to the money they once had, but the problem is that Adelaide, who is 19, is at the age where she should start looking at marriage. Her mother, Sylvia, is determined to find her a wealthy husband so they are able to stay in their home and maintain their social status. But Junnie has a different idea. She cares more about Adelaide's character and happiness than she does about social status and trying to stay in a house that she didn't like from the day she first moved in decades ago. As the story unfolds, these 2D characters come to life, and we start to learn that there is much more to these women than meets the eye. I loved this book! Great for fans of Downton Abbey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for sharing this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve always enjoyed Lynn Austin’s historical novels because of her research that makes the books so accurate, well placed and authentic.

This novel is the story of three women and their struggles for acknowledgment as accomplished women in the Golden Age,, where men are “in charge”. Such themes as forgiveness, suffrage for women, value systems of the wealthy, societies acceptance of poverty in the middle class and pleasing God rather than men.

A great read! I was given this e-book to read by Net Galley.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a little light on the faith content. A story about 3 generations of women dealing with life’s joys and sorrow. We can’t change the past but we learn from it. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and how it all came together.

All My Secrets by Lynn Austin

Set in the Gilded Age, this book traces the lives of 3 women in a well-to-do family. These women, Junietta, Sylvia and Addy must decide how to proceed now that their son, husband and father is gone and their lives are disrupted. Will it be a chance to start anew or a scramble to hold onto what they cannot stand to lose?

The author weaves the story of the lives of these three women and their pasts into lessons astute readers will take to heart. She portrays the heartbreak of lost love, the beauty of second chances and the importance of living a worthwhile life. The plot steadily carries the story forward while alternating between the three women and their choices. The reader is kept interested while the background and the secrets of the women are revealed. The story raises many good questions, causing the reader to think through their own life choices.

As Lynn Austin is one of my go-to authors, I heartily recommend this book. Readers will enjoy the story and the setting and the life lessons that permeate it. I am grateful to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this ebook, in exchange for this, my honest review.

In New York in 1898, Arthur Stanhope III’s unexpected death leaves a will that his will bestows his company—and most of the vast fortune that goes with it—to the nearest male heir, leaving his mother, wife, and daughter nearly impoverished. His widow, Sylvia, quickly realizes she must set aside her grief to ensure their daughter, Adelaide, is launched into society as soon as the appropriate mourning period passes. If Sylvia can find a wealthy husband for her daughter, Addy. before anyone realizes they’re practically destitute so that there will be little disruption to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to. Sylvia’s mother-in-law, Junietta, believes their life could use a little disruption. She has watched Sylvia play her role as a society wife, as Junietta once did, despite what it cost them both. Junietta vows to give her granddaughter the power to choose a path beyond what society expects. But for Addy to have that chance, both mother and grandmother must first confront painful truths about their own choices. Only in bringing their secrets to light can they hope to reshape their family inheritance into a legacy more fulfilling than they ever dared dream.

Lynn Austin is a gifted author that has the ability to transport the reader to a time in history with accuracy and understanding. The Gilded Age is a time where women had very little, if any, power and was controlled by the whims of her husband. She also manages to insert a Christian aspect into the lives of her characters. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read another book by one of my favorite Christian authors. I highly recommend it.

I have never read any of Lynn Austin’s works - but that is about to change.

I really enjoyed this story. 3 women have to take charge of their lives after a dramatic financial change.

Seeing how they each change in the process and sought faith was amazing. I really enjoyed the stories.

Normally - back and forth can be very confusing but the author did a great job making sure you know who was the main character and where they were in the timeline.

I just reviewed All My Secrets by Lynn Austin. #AllMySecrets #NetGalley

Another incredible book by author Lynn Austin, we see so many secrets among the 400 in New York. So many things that are very foolish yet expected by high society. Sylvia and Adelaide, along with grandmother Junietta, are strong women, determined to succeed. But success looks different to each of them. I really enjoyed their journey of growth; their journey to complete honesty.

If you enjoy Christian historical fiction, because there is no doubt that it’s Christian, and especially stories about the gilded age, do read All My Secrets. You won’t be sorry.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Junietta, Sylvia, and Adelaide Stanhope are three women bound by one grief at the turn of the last century. Junietta married into the powerful Stanhope family after one mistake made her vulnerable to Arthur Stanhope’s machinations. For over fifty years, she has tried to influence first her husband, then her son and his wife, and now her youngest granddaughter to question their status quo.

When Junietta’s beloved son, A.B, passes away unexpectedly, Sylvia, his wife, and Adelaide, his youngest daughter, discover Arthur Stanhope’s will has dictated the bulk of their fortune will go to the oldest living male heir—leaving the three women with a cavernous mansion and no money to maintain it.

Sylvia’s idea of retrenching includes finding a wealthy husband for Adelaide as soon as a suitable mourning period has passed. Junietta’s idea of retrenching involves selling the house and moving into something smaller. Adelaide feels pulled between both women—she loves them dearly, but their goals seem at odds.

Will the turn of the century breathe new life into their scripted lives? Or will all three remain constrained by society’s expectations?

What I Loved About This Book

Lynn Austin masterfully portrays life in New York’s Gilded Age—an era of inconceivable wealth and opulence. As the title suggests, the secrets of two women will have a bearing on the final decision and outcome—but only if they have the courage to share their secrets with each other and learn from their mistakes.

Older readers will relate to the regrets and introspection of Junietta and Sylvia. Younger readers will relate to Adelaide and how she tries to balance the desires of the older women while honoring both.

If you’ve read other books by Austin, this one has a more leisurely pace. The gradual unveiling of the secrets keeps the action moving forward, even though the pacing seems slower. You'll love this book if you love complex stories with historical details and surprising solutions. Austin’s deep dive into contemplating our own mortality and our legacy will not only entertain but will also help readers think about their own choices, secrets, and legacy.

All my Secrets was the most aggravating book I have read in a long time. Yet this novel was also filled with an amazing look at the impossibility of living up to other’s expectations. All My secrets is about 3 generations of women with as the title implies many secrets. It unwraps the story of each woman and the consequences of choices made. Each story was quite interesting and kept me wanting to hear more.
I had to struggle to keep from getting annoyed as the plot had the youngest main character blindly obeying to find a wealthy husband to preserve the entitled lifestyle which she was used to. That way of thinking was beyond what I could understand. But All My Secrets was also filled with lessons of forgiveness and the great depth of God’s love. It was a great reminder of learning from generations before us. This novel would make a great bookclub selection as it would prompt some great discussions.

Thank you Lynn Austin, NetGalley, and Tyndale House for this gifted book!*

Synopsis: “Juniette believed that Sylvia and Adelaide could both fly freely on their own if they could find the courage to escape from their gilded cages.” The Stanhope women may be drastically separated in age, but the loss of son, husband, and father threatens to separate every other connection they may have had. As each of these women wrestle with the realities of being alone in the early 1900s, they realize life may just look different than what they’d always planned. Gone are the parties, wealth, high class society. But is that really all there is to life? What about faith, hope, and love? In a story of struggles, secrets, and strengths, the women must come face to face with the problems of the past and the possibilities of a different future.

Analysis: As a long time fan, I’m so glad to say Lynn Austin does it again! In this Gilded Age novel, you’ll explore the struggles of women in this time period from three different perspectives: grandmother, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. I loved the unique perspective of each voice in this novel and the family tension with each woman. The history is well-researched and the characters well-developed. As I flew through the pages, I loved the vivid imagery of the mansions and other places they visited. I found myself wishing I could travel and see the locations in person (maybe someday🤞). In signature Lynn Austin fashion, you’ll see the characters come face to face with difficulty, but you’ll find the beauty and truth of biblical hope.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Rating: Clean

* *I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Historical timeline set in 1898 NYC, the story follows three generations of Stanhope women.

Matriarch Junietta's story follows her life before and after her marriage. Newly widowed, Syliva's life is in upheaval after learning that her husband's fortune and company follow his father's will and passes to the nearest male heir - leaving her with a crumbling mansion and a daughter on the marriage market. Adelaide, Sylvia's daughter, is being launched into society to make a good match and save the family from falling into disgrace. The storyline follows each lady and goes back into their past to show what made them the strong ladies they are. A really interesting story that kept me engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

The author's choice to narrate this story from the viewpoints of three generations of women in the hopes that the stories will inspire readers of all ages amazed me. It also made the story more intimate and captivating. The youngest character, Addy, is often getting caught up in what other people think of her and taken in by the societal norms that tell her what she should be and do.

Adelaide's mother Sylvia is another lady going through unpleasant changes following her husband's untimely death. She is in grief and coming to terms with the fact that her daughter will soon get married and leave her all by herself.

On the other hand, Junietta truly believes God, can use us at any age. This story explores the idea of God's forgiveness while exposing the negative consequences of resentment and bitterness. As the secrets these ladies have been keeping come to light, amazing things happen.

Readers are given a close-up and intimate look at how these three incredible women struggle to survive when it seems impossible for them to do so. Oh my, this was such a heartfelt story with incredible attention to detail. Junietta sees an opportunity to help Addy venture beyond the confines of her childhood home. Junietta tells Addy, “It’s your life, not your mother’s. Do you have the courage it takes to break free from the mold that society will try to cast for you? You don’t have to do things their way, you know…As we start all over again, we’ll have a chance to make a new life for ourselves and decide how we want to live from now on. Change can be difficult, but it can also be very good for us.”

I admired how each of the three ladies looked within to determine what matters most in life. Will they play the role that society has urged them to play, or will they look for a greater good and try to change the world? They could reduce their belongings and intentional about decisions that will impact not just their own life but also the lives of numerous generations to come.

This is a powerful, thought-provoking story. I like how the author skillfully included biblical verses into the story, allowing these complex characters to go inward and gain fresh insights on their surroundings and a deeper understanding of themselves.

If you haven’t read a book by this author, I recommend this one. This would work for a book club pick too. There is much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

All my secrets by Lynn Austin is a great historical fiction that I enjoyed.
I have read many books by Miss Austin and I have always enjoyed her books. I have very few Christian riders that are my favorite, and she is at the top of my list. Her characters have depth, and I love how she intertwines God into everything and Jesus without it seeming to unrealistic.
This novel tells a story of three mothers. So it’s a generational story. I believe she did this before with eves daughters, and that was one of my favorite books and I love the generational reads. I recommend this read I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Thank you in NetGalley and Tyndale house publishers for this ARC in return for my honest review!