Kate Furniss is the housekeeper of Coldwell Hall. This is the perfect hiding place for her. She is running from an abusive husband.

Then there is the footman, Jem Arden. He is at Coldwell Hall to find out what happened to his brother. His brother has been missing and he went missing from Coldwell Hall.

I enjoyed the mystery surrounding these two characters. And when their love blooms…it just might find them in a mess. Jem is strong and he protects Kate to the best of his ability. Kate is also tough, tougher than she knows. But will their strength protect them??

Boy this book is long! Longer than it needed to be. It just moved so slow. But the author created enough mystery surrounding the two main characters that I kept with it. I have only read one other novel by this author The Glittering Hour. And apparently I had the same thoughts about that novel.

I do believe the narrators, Raphael Corkhill; Shakira Shute, were another reason I kept listening to this book. They were truly fantastic.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I am a sucker for historical romance with a bit of mystery! Iona Grey whisks us back to 1911 and 1919 to Northern England where we are introduced to Kate, who is posing as a housekeeper. Why is she keeping her identity a secret? Then she is swept up in a romance with the new footman, who is harboring secrets of his own.

The dual timelines work for this novel. Some authors fall short and confuse readers when they jump, but Grey does this expertly. The reader gets immersed in the romance and finds out the backstory all very beautifully. Perhaps Downton Abbey had some influences because it was as if I was watching a movie unfold as I read.

I highly recommend The Housekeeper's Secret!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

This was a very interesting book for me. I've not read many at all set in this time period. From Edwardian Age to the trenches of WWI. Set in the moors of Northern England, Coldwell Hall. A story told from the servants POVs.

Kate is determined to keep the secrets of Caldwell Hall in. She's also determined to keep her own secrets hidden. And yes she has a few. One that could hurt her. But she is very good at her job and does all she can to keep things running smoothly. Then she meets Jem and things take a turn. Is it love? Or something else?

Jem has secrets of his own. He came to Caldwell Hall for reasons of his own and did not intend to fall for anyone much less the head housekeeper.

Told from different timelines and different prospectives this story will hold your interest once it gets going. I have to admit that it was a bit slow starting for me but it didn't take to long to get there. To get the main characters. It's fairly easy to follow and the flow is pretty good. There are some things that tended to interfere with the flow but it can be overlooked in part. At least I managed.

This book was a new subject matter for me. Being about the servants instead of the rich homeowner. All that they do each day and the secrets that they all tend to have. I think this author did a good job of getting things right. Well researched. Read the Acknowledgments for more info.

I enjoyed this book.

Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

Four stars.

Historical romance mystery set in the early 1900's. Coldwell Hall is set in the countryside, a house that is full of secrets. The servants that run the hall are also full of their own secrets. The main character, Kate Furniss, is running from a past that will always seem to follow her. In comes Jem, who steals her heart. But their servants with secrets to hide. Kate hears a rumor in town that the reason she can't find anyone else to work in the hall is because 'something' sinister happened there many years ago that even the constables won't talk about. Will the secrets ever end or will rumors ever be set free?

I enjoyed all the research that Mr Grey put into the writing of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Iona Grey and St Martin's Press for allowing me this arc e-version in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinion stated above is my own.

I really loved this book, and I’ll definitely be checking this author’s backlist.

Set mostly in Coldwell Hall in the moors of Derbyshire, this story spans the years 1911-1918. It revolves (and is told mostly by) Kate Furniss, the housekeeper at Coldwell Hall and Jem Arden, a mysterious new footman there. Both Kate and Jem are hiding secrets and are using their employment at Coldwell Hall for their own purposes…Kate for protection, Jem for answers and possibly revenge. I won’t give away too much here, but as they grow to trust each other, especially as they unite to withstand the machinations of their master’s villainous valet, tender feelings begin to bloom.

This story is very well written, with finely fleshed-out sympathetic characters and to me it had more of the grandeur of an epic rather than a simple novel. There was angst, despair, heartbreak, perseverance, and ultimately triumph in the face of multiple adversities. I viscerally felt these characters…their pain, their joy, their complexities. I laughed, cried and empathized with not just Kate and Jem but their ensemble cast as well.

So well done, and one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Definitely recommended.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing the free early arc of The Housekeeper’s Secret for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Thank you @stmartinspress #partner for the gifted copy of this eARC!

After reading The Glittering Hour and loving it I jumped at the chance to read another historical novel by Iona Grey. Once again, I was easily drawn into the lives of this suspenseful and romantic story. I always love a book that uncovers “the help” lives and secrets. Kate is a respectable and hardworking housekeeper who stays hidden in the shadows of Coldwell Hall. It is imperative she floats amongst others in a manner that doesn’t make her memorable or stand out. When Jem, a new footman, shows up as new staff she finds it hard to continue to play her part. The connection and passion between the two of them is undeniable however their relationship must not bud into something noticeable. She’s not so sure Jem is there for the reason given which leads to more questions about true intentions. 👀 Ultimately what unfolds is a beautifully written story which was filled with complex characters and an emotional narrative and love story. I love the trials and tribulations told from the servants during this time! If you are a fan of historical romance, Downton Abbey, or books with mystery and deception grab yourself a copy of this one! It comes out on Tuesday!

This is a Downton Abbey type of book where aristocrats expect much of their servants in the early 1900's. The servants aren't really seen as individuals, just cogs in running the place. Jem, recently hired as a footman is there for reasons other than work. Kate is a capable housekeeper anxious to keep the house going. Each has their own secrets, desires, and hopes.

I found the book to be a bit slow moving, but I very much enjoyed the historical details.

Kind of interesting historical fiction told through dual timelines. Felt a little disjointed for me and not really sure the housekeeper’s secret was as exciting as some others. Overall an okay read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy and I give my review freely

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. Overall, I thought this was a pretty solid historical fiction. The story was kind of a standard one (servants hiding from their pasts, rich people doing terrible things, etc.) but I enjoyed it. I liked that part of it was told through Jem’s letters and I thought the love story was very believable. I’m also a sucker for a happy ending in a war novel, so I appreciated that this was tied up nicely in the end.

The House Keeper’s Secret by Iona Grey is my third book by this author. I always give the author the benefit of reading the entire book. I have to say that this story really left me flat. The story didn’t speak to me. The story was somewhat confusing. I happy to read another book by this author but I was just disappointed. I truly think it shouldn’t have been the house keeper’s secret. Her secret was nothing earth shattering or interesting. The other secret in the book was more interesting. Just didn’t feel it with this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This work of Historical Fiction/Romance/Mystery/Thriller is ABSOLUTELY incredible. I was not expecting this to be everything I needed in a book. But it was. I was submerged in the lives of these characters.

Kate Furniss has made Coldwell Hall her hiding place for the past five years. She keeps her mask on at all times. As Housekeeper, no one, including her own staff, suspects that she isn't the perfect picture of respectability. She maintains her professionalism at all costs. Her life depends on it. During the Summer of 1911, a young man named Jew Arden mysteriously shows up casually claiming the new footman position. The minute he shows up, Kate can feel her mask slipping. He is slowly becoming more difficult to be around. He radiates an electricity through her whole body everytime she is around him. He feels the same. The problem - it's completely forbidden for her to have a romantic relationship with anyone on staff. And she MUST stay hidden at Coldwell Hall. But Jem Arden has his own secretive reasons for seeking employment at Coldwell. This beautiful story alternates non-linear timelines from the Edwardian Age to the trenches of WWI.

The methodical writing of this story was incredibly creative! I was captivated by each distinct, magnetic character. The war trope, the forbidden romance arc, the hidden secrets, the fight for survival, the non-linear timeline, and the hunger for vengeance gave this book an upright spine of honor and intrigue. There was not one moment where I felt bored or wished I could just "make it through the chapter". All of it was stellar. Iona Gray is to be applauded with every flower thrown her way. I have a feeling this book will spread like wildfire after August 13th.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Iona Gray for the chance to read this gem in exchange for my honest and raving review!

I really enjoyed this book. The prose is beautiful. There were too much characters and too much descriptions sometimes but all in all it was a solid 4 star read!

The Housekeeper's Secret is set in 1911 at Coldwell Hall, a manor on the moors of Northern England. Mrs. Furniss is the housekeeper there, perfectly professional at all times until Jem Arden, the new footman arrives. The two are instantly attracted to each other, but they have their places in the household and must stay away from each other. They both have dangerous secrets that they are keeping as well. The story is told through alternating perspectives of all of the household staff and alternating timelines, with parts of the story set in 1911 and other parts set in 1916, during World War I. The setting was excellent and did a good job of showing how it was such a time of transition from the old ways to embracing new technologies and ways of living. The characters were all very interesting, but they're all sort of thrown at you at once in the beginning, which can be overwhelming. Overall I found the mysteries very enjoyable and the book reminded me of a darker Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs.

I struggled with this one. The writing is very good and I love the time period, it felt like reading Downtown Abbey. However, I had a hard time connecting to the story and characters. It's very slow paced and there were a lot of characters and it took awhile to keep them straight and even know and remember who the housekeeper was! I kept forgetting!

"The Housekeeper's Secret" by Iona Grey paints a vivid picture of life at Coldwell Hall in the summer of 1911, exploring themes of duty, desire, and deception. Kate Furniss, the housekeeper, hides behind a professional facade, only to have it threatened by the arrival of the enigmatic footman, Jem Arden. The romance that blossoms between Kate and Jem is fraught with tension and secrecy, set against the backdrop of a grand estate on the remote moors of Northern England. Grey's writing is rich and atmospheric, capturing the Edwardian era's essence and the complexities of forbidden love.

However, the novel's alternating timelines between the Edwardian summer and the WWI trenches can be disorienting, disrupting the narrative flow. While the historical details are meticulously researched, the story occasionally struggles to maintain momentum. Kate and Jem's characters, although well-developed, sometimes act inconsistently, making it challenging to fully engage with their journey. Despite these flaws, "The Housekeeper's Secret" offers an intriguing glimpse into a bygone era, with enough romance and mystery to keep readers invested, even if it doesn't fully deliver on its initial promise.

This is a slow-paced, atmospheric novel that moves back and forth in time. It reminds me of Longbourn by Jo Baker.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

THE HOUSEKEEPER'S SECRET was a well done historical fiction novel. The story, part Atonement, part Downton Abbey, part Remains of the Day, this book was filled with mystery, household staff secrets, and multiple POVs that is atmospheric in a changing world amid the looming of WWI and during.

I truly enjoyed the story of this and how it sucked me into the politics of living lives of those that ran estate houses. Each character in the story had their own secret on the backdrop of a remote Edwardian estate that was being left behind due to modernization and the opportunities it affords for those of a lower socioeconomic status. The characters, in alternative POVs, are complex (some more than others) and their secrets were interesting.

My only issues were that the pacing at the beginning is slow to set everything up. In this book you wait for the story to unravel for you, rather than being pushed along. This is usually fine with me, but there were some times that I felt that the plot was not going anywhere for multiple chapters. I also felt the end was rushed once everything tied together. For me, it was a satisfying ending, but one that was too quickly gotten there, especially with the build up.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and think if you love historical fiction, characters with secrets, atmospheric Edwardian estates, Downton Abbey vibes, and mysteries, this is a book for you!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Housekeeper’s Secret is set in 1911 in Northern England. This book is called the housekeeper’s secret; however, all the servants in this house have a secret. One part mystery, one part romance, and one really evil man provide the makings of a great historical fiction novel.

I really liked this book. The main character drew me in. I love a strong female lead and Kate Furniss did not disappoint. The inner workings of the servants during that time period reminded me of Downton Abbey. There was enough tension and I love any book with a good romance in it especially a forbidden one.

Occasionally, the multiple points of view became hard to follow and it was a little slow in the middle, but I really enjoyed reading this book.

The Housekeeper’s Secret by Iona Grey is a historical fiction. It is a poignant and evocative novel that intertwines love, loss and mystery. Set in post WW II England, the story unravels through the lives of its compelling characters. This novel centers around the head Housekeeper who has secrets of her own. One of the book’s strengths is to evoke the atmosphere of the era with detailed settings and vivid descriptions. The Housekeeper’s Secret will appeal to fans of historical fiction and character driven stories.
This book comes out on August 13, 2024.
I rate this book 4 stars
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC and a chance to read this book.

I was given this arc in January and kept putting off reading it. Now that I’ve finished it I’m kicking myself for taking so long to get around to it! This was a very intriguing read, with huge Downton Abbey vibes. It’s set around the same time and has a cast of characters that work as service people in a large home. I really enjoyed the various mysteries throughout the book and the dual timeline presented through written letters. There is murder, forbidden love, mystery, and several villains to keep an eye out for. My only criticism is that there were times the narrator switched points of view within the same chapter or even paragraph, and it made it sometimes confusing. There are a lot of characters that sometimes go by first names, sometimes last names, sometimes their title, and so it took me a while to figure out who was who and what their role was. I even thought there were 3 separate pregnant women at one point, which turned out to be not true. If the narrator stuck to one person each chapter I think that would have made it a bit easier to follow. All in all, it was a page turner and I enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.