I love the time period this book set in - early 1900s. The author obviously did a lot of research about about the life in that time. This novel is suspenseful and has a great cast of characters.

A captivating story which would have benefitted from a great deal more editing. The historical significance and charm of the book got lost in the redundancy.

i’ve been really interested in pre wwi fiction so i picked this up. i found it pretty intriguing, thoigh i think it fell flat on both the romantic and mystery aspects, which is a shame.

the bill of the story takes place in 1911. if i’m being honest i didn’t think there was need for the framing device of the battle of the somme since we spend so little time in that timeline, and it obscures rather than reveals.

i liked the setting; it’s downton abbey esque and focuses almost entirely on the lives of the servants. there’s a lot of jumping around between the characters, though, which took away from kate and jem’s story, and i really wished we were more focused on them as they were such interesting characters

definitely pick it up if you’re into mysterious romances!

Gave some downstairs/upstairs or Downton Abbey vibes. A bit slow to start to the story, but picked up eventually.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc of "The Housekeeper's Secret".

This story started out a bit slow, but about a quarter of the way through I couldn't get enough of it. One of the main character, Kate. was a very likable character with a good head on her shoulder's. Jem was also a likable, but I like that he was realistic person and didn't win at everything he did. Man, there was so much drama in this book, but it satisfied my guilty pleasure, it felt like I was in the middle of the story figuring out what was going on.

(Rounded up from 3.5 stars)

This historical romance fiction was mostly enjoyable. I found it dragged a bit at times, and a few bits were confusing. Overall, it’s a love story that stands the test of time.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for my copy of this book.

There was much that drew me to this book going in - a historical mystery/romance set in the early 20th century, in an era and setting that gives Downton Abbey/Upstairs, Downstairs vibes. It's told with dual timelines, alternating between a country house on the moors of Northern England in 2011 and letters written in 2016 in the trenches of WWI Somme valley, France. The mysteries and stories unfold slowly. It's a bit confusing in the early stages, with multiples characters introduced, and early on I wasn't quite sure how I felt about this one. But the main characters, Kate and Jem, both have shadowy pasts that are hinted at and are eventually revealed, as is a current ongoing mystery. The characters were intriguing enough to keep me wanting to read more and learn their secrets, and in the end I was happy I'd stuck with it for the satisfying conclusion.

A touching story about love, loss, and secrets. Clara, the housekeeper with a mysterious past and one of my favorites in the book. The book switches between past and present, blending historical and modern elements beautifully.

I think the book could have been shorter as it dragged in some spots for me.

Grey's writing is vivid and engaging, bringing the settings and characters to life. Nice historical fictional elements. Themes of forgiveness and healing are woven throughout.

Overall, "The Housekeeper's Secret" is a heartfelt and compelling novel that stays with you. Perfect for fans of historical fiction and emotional stories.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for the ARC.

I really tried to like this one, but I couldn’t get through it. I had to DNF. The story seemed like it was going to be interesting, but it was such a difficult read. I couldn’t visualize and it just wasn’t holding my attention. I’m sorry. I really tried.

As someone who enjoyed watching the separate lives in Downton Abbey I was excited to read this book. In a set-away mansion everyone has their own secrets. Slow paced at the start it was hard to get into but I was so nosey I had to keep reading. Did feel like something were left unsaid by the end of the book but I really enjoyed reading the story lines which had a small time jump but were about the same characters. It kept me guessing but isn't really a thriller or mystery just historical fiction with romance thrown in.

. Part of the story is in the trenches in WWI and part in England. Kind of a Downtown Abbey type story focusing on the servants. Both Kate, the housekeeper and Jem, the footman have secrets they are trying to keep hidden. I didn’t like this as much as I hoped. Although, I listened to the audiobook and liked that version better.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This has Downton Abbey vibes with above and below stairs so fans would enjoy this novel. The characters were a bit confusing but overall a good novel.

While I ultimately enjoyed this book, I found it hard to get into. There were a LOT of characters, which were already hard to keep track of. On top of that, the way it switched between timelines and points of view made it difficult to follow. It was very slow-paced, and then everything happened in about the last 20 pages and it just felt abrupt. I did enjoy the romance pieces, but they were few and far between. I think the book was good, but that I wasn’t the target audience for it.

A wonderful character-driven novel. This book had the perfect amount of romance, mystery, and below-stairs drama.

I enjoyed reading this novel as it reminded me of Downton Abbey! Set during WW! the years of 1911-1919 the book revolves around the housekeeper, Kate Furniss and Jem Arden, a recently hired footman. Both these protagonists have secrets and there is a mystery there. Slow paced until all is resolved, but I found it to be a good read. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So perfect for fans of Downton Abbey! Reading this book actually made me want to rewatch the entire series. The storylines are obviously different but the vibes are spot on. The only issue I had was the sheer amount of characters to keep track of. I did have to go back and reread bits in the beginning because I couldn't remember which character was doing what. Highly recommend for anyone who loves historical fiction, the Edwardian era, WW1, or what daily life was like for household servants 100 years ago.

This is a beautifully written historical novel that seamlessly weaves together themes of love, loss, and hidden truths. Set in both the present day and World War II-era England, the story follows the life of a housekeeper named Violet and the mysterious secrets she kept during a turbulent time. Grey's prose is evocative, capturing the emotional depth of her characters and the complex relationships between them. The dual timeline adds intrigue, gradually unveiling the secrets that have shaped Violet's life. Rich in atmosphere and heartfelt in its exploration of human connection, *The Housekeeper's Secret* is a captivating and moving read.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Housekeeper’s Secret is the first book that I’ve read by Iona Grey. I’m a fan of period pieces like Downton Abbey, so when I read the synopsis, I jumped at the chance to read this.

The story started slow and dragged in some places, but overall was a well written read.

I enjoyed the multiple points of view and once the story started to move, it flowed well. If you like stories from the early 1900’s, reminiscent of Downton Abbey, this story may be for you.

Just didn’t Hit for me and ended up a DNF… ((My apologies for the late review. (I am now cleaning them up for the new year)) overall this felt slow and had no buy in for the characters due to it being a DNF I will NOT be posting

I’m sure it’s been said, but Downton Abbeyists will surely love this beautifully researched and well-executed novel. The way the lines of the story weave together surrounded by this mystery overlay was captivating. Nothing happens quickly in the story, but the pacing is deliberate and believable.