I love historical fiction books and this one was a little different focus than I typically read. This story is developed around three generations of women, Junietta, the matriarch, Sylvia, the daughter-in-law, and Addie, the granddaughter. What an interesting view into the lives of the wealthy and privileged ... at least until they aren’t. The three women are strong and resilient in their own ways. It was a delightful trip through the pages as you learn about both Junietta and Sylvia’s pasts and how Addie became aware of what the women had experienced and how it influenced their opinions of Addie’s goals in life should be. There is a touch of romance but it is not over the top and too sappy. It just adds a nice touch to the tale. Told from the point of view of the three Stanhope women, you are drawn into their lives and your heart with ache as they matured and became the strong and resourceful women they are currently. I strongly encourage you to open up this book and get lost in the pages and all the secrets to be revealed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

All My Secrets by Lynn Austin is a wonderful story about three women at the turn of the twentieth century: a young lady named Adelaide, her mother Sylvie, and her grandmother Junietta. When Sylvie's husband passes away, the women lose most of their wealth and privilege in a twist set out in the will. As they try to navigate what will happen next, they must decide if they will follow what society deems or will they follow their heart.
I adored this story. I laughed out loud many times; I got goosebumps. I smiled and enjoyed the entire story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. The narrator did a fantastic job as well.

As a teacher, I found "All My Secrets" by Lynn Austin to be a thought-provoking read and would be an excellent addition to a classroom curriculum. All My Secrets intertwines historical events with personal stories, offering students a wide range of topics to explore. Lynn Austin is known for her meticulous research, and "All My Secrets" is no exception. The historical backdrop serves as a valuable educational tool, offering insights into the time period and events that shaped the characters' lives. Teachers can use this as a cross-curriculum lesson in history.

Students will find this book thought-provoking and engaging enough to want to keep turning every page. "All My Secrets" presents readers with ethical dilemmas and moral complexities that can serve as springboards for critical thinking exercises. By examining the characters' choices and the consequences, students can sharpen their analytical skills and ethical reasoning. The wide range of topics discussed in this book includes romance, Christianity, historical events, and ethical dilemmas.

I personally enjoyed this book and I will add it to my curriculum in the upcoming school year. As always, Lynn Austin does not disappoint.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version.
I really did enjoy this book. I think there was somethings towards the end that I was just not so sure about. I loved hearing a book that talked about the Lord and Bible. But as a Christian I absolutely don't agree with the suffragette movement. I think when it was first starting out I could see their vision but like most groups when they start turning to violence and then eventually the feminist movement I absolutely do not agree with them. So I was not really happy with the author for writing a Christian novel praising a violent feminist group. I think that the author also didn't really talk about praying to the Lord for what your should do. It was more so that the main female characters wanted what they wanted. I think that was lacking in that area.
But all in all I did enjoy the book and the narrator did a good job.

I really wanted to like this book but I couldn’t really get into it. The cover was what pulled me in . Along with the genre . The narrators voice was good and not hard on the ears.

I had hopes for this book and I did finish it, but I just don't think it was quite right for me. In saying that it was well written.

This is a story set in the gilded age with 3 women of means left to find a way to secure their future after the patriarch, Arthur Stanhope, dies and leaves the women with very little. His mother, Junietta, was very forward thinking for the time and had secrets of her own. Sylvia, his wife just wants to carry on as normal and marry their daughter, Adelaide, off to a wealthy suitor to keep her social standing and poor Adelaide wants to choose her own path in life.

Thanks to NetGalley & RB Media for the ALC.

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.

I listened to the audio ARC of this book read by Sarah Zimmerman, and I thought her narration was excellent. She has the perfect voice for this time period.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tyndale House Publishers, and RB Media/Recorded Books for sharing this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

A story of redemption and forgiveness set in the Gilded Age.

This is a Christian Historical Fiction novel. While I usually don't read this genre I decided to give this a try as I love books set in the Gilded Age. It did not disappoint!

The story begins with the passing of the wealthy Arthur Stanhope. He leaves behind his wife, mother and unmarried daughter. He also leaves his vast fortune to a distant male cousin. His wife Sylvia is at her wits' end. She is scrambling to marry off her youngest daughter, Adelaide to a wealthy man before it becomes known that the family has lost their fortune. Junietta, Arthur's mother feels her granddaughter Addy should marry for love. Will she be able to sway Sylvia's mind? Junietta tries by beginning to tell Sylvia and Addy her life story. The book then begins to go back and forth in time.

It's a beautifully written story that is well narrated. I loved the narrator's tone and inflection. It was perfect for the time period.

This was a lovely story of a young woman, her mother, and her grandmother set in the late 1800s. After a family death and a poorly conceived will, our three ladies must decide what comes next in life. Adelaide's mother wants her to find a wealthy husband, but her grandmother wants her to discover her own path including love.

I enjoyed this book a lot. There's a lot to think on here - what is your purpose in life? What is most important in life? Can you see outside the box you've always known to a future that looks completely different?

This is Christian fiction so expect visits to church and discussions about God.

Recommended to lovers of historical fiction.

I listened to the audiobook which was excellently narrated by Sarah Zimmerman.

Family friendly.

Thank you, Netgalley and RB Media, for an ARC of this book! The opinions in this review are entirely my own!

Wow, that was a crazy ride! I loved the three different timelines and how Lynn Austin transitioned between them! This book was absolutely captivating, and I didn't want to take breaks to do some adulting! I just wanted to keep reading! I loved the character development, the story, the way the story progressed, absolutely everything! While it is still early in the year, I know this book will end up in my top 10 of 2023!

Three generations of women bond while working to figure out their future after Arthur Stanhope III's untimely death and unfortunate will. Junietta Stanhope, mother of Arther the third and wife of Arthur the second is matriarch of the family and head of the Stanhope Charitable Foundation. She recalls and shares her life experiences and encourages the women to look for a life with purpose, not just riches. Sylvia Stanhope, wife of Arthur Stanhope III, cannot lose everything she has ever known again and works to find a way to keep their mansion and current way of life. Adalaide Stanhope, daughter of Arther and Sylvia, loves her mother and Mimi Juni (as she calls Junietta) and is stuck in the middle, confused about her future prospects and decisions.

These women navigate their current trials while sharing their past ones in a multiple POV, time hop novel that highlights strong women and the struggles women faced in the late 1890s. Each woman, especially of their social standing, is expected to represent their family and live a certain way, act a certain way. Each woman in this narrative, both follows those expectations and pushes against them. Each woman travels through their own journey of self-discovery. Unique women, unique stories, unique purpose, Empowering plot.

It has been a while since I read Lynn Austin, and I am overjoyed to be reunited to her writing. This book took me on a journey, as I rooted for each woman as she struggled and triumphed. I shook my head when they made their mistakes and wiped a tear at their redemption. All my Secrets is beautifully written with a strong and inspiring message of our power to create our own path: a path that He who created us, set before us.

Scripture this book brought to mind:

Jeremiah 29: 11 " 'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' "

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance or us to do."

And my personal takeaway is to seek His will for my life and not let others dictate the path that I am on. (My mom's favorite verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.")

All My Secrets by Lynn Austin was my first book that I had the pleasure of reading by this author. I listened to the audiobook of All My Secrets that was well narrated by Sarah Zimmerman. All My Secrets explored the lives and relationships of the three women of the Stanhope family.that were born into three different generations There was Junietta, the oldest of the three and the matriarch of the family. Junietta who was getting on in years was a widow. She was very involved in her charity work that had been set up through the foundation she created and ran. Junietta’s charities catered to others that were less fortunate than herself. The charities she supported were varied. Junietta had also designated safe places of refuge for needy women and children. She was also a grandmother and mother-in-law. Sylvia had married Junietta’s son, Arthur Stanhope III or A.B., as he preferred to be called and was a mother to three daughters who were all married except for the youngest, Adelaide or Addie as her grandmother liked to call her. Adelaide was the youngest of Sylvia’s three daughters. She led a privileged life and was close to both her mother and grandmother. All three of the Stanhope women were strong, resilient, intelligent and caring. When an unexpected tragedy occurred, their lives were altered in a way they never could have imagined possible. All My Secrets was set in the early 1900’s in New York City among the most influential and richest people in society during that time.

In 1898, Arthur Stanhope III or A.B. died way before his time. He suffered a most premature death while his wife, Sylvia and youngest daughter, Addie, were vacationing at their summer home in posh Newport, Rhode Island. The Stanhope women took the news very badly. After A. B. was laid to rest in the family plot, the family’s troubles first began. An attorney was assigned to read his will and explain the details that the will stated. The attorney came to the Stanhope residence. Junietta, Sylvia and Addie learned that there were stipulations in the will that would have to be followed and that would leave the Stanhope women with little to no income. The will dictated that the Stanhope fortune which included the Stanhope business and summer home in Newport be awarded to the next male Stanhope heir. This stipulation had been made by Authur I and it had never been changed. Sylvia and Addie were left with only their home in New York, A.B.’s yacht and a small stipend. With no revenue coming in from the Stanhope business, it would be just a matter of time before Sylvia would be forced to sell the house and that her friends would discover that she and Addie were broke. Sylvia knew that she had an obligation to Addie. She had to find her a suitable and rich husband before their status and reputation was discovered and disclosed. Sylvia was determined to make this happen. It would secure Addie’s place in society and her lifestyle. This being the world that Addie was meant to live in, Sylvia would do everything in her power to make it happen for her daughter. Junietta, though, had other ideas for Addie. She felt that Addie should be allowed to chose the life she wanted to live. Junietta wanted Addie to have the chance to fall in love with the man of her dreams.

Addie understood why Sylvia was determined to host a dinner and invite eligible and well suited men for her. Her mother was going to do whatever she could to ensure that Addie could continue to live the life she was born into. If nothing had changed in their lives, Addie would have attended dinners and dances with the intention of finding a rich husband. Of course, Addie and her mother realized that they had to wait the customary number of months for the mourning period to be over before her mother’s plans could be put into motion. Addie was receiving mixed messages from her mother and grandmother. Who should she believe? The advice that Addie was getting from the two most important people in her life was confusing and perplexing.

During this time, Junietta began telling Addie stories about her life that Addie had never heard before. Junietta told Addie about secrets she had kept to herself her whole life. After Addie learned about her grandmother’s past she was curious about her own mother’s life before she met her father. Sylvia revealed long buried secrets, as well from her past to Addie and to Junietta.. The secrets that both women had buried deep inside themselves were finally revealed. Those confessions helped Addie discover what was important for her and who she wanted to be. She was so glad to have learned about the women her mother and grandmother had been and how their decisions shaped them into the women they were now. Letting go of those secrets also allowed Sylvia and Junietta to free themselves of the heavy burdens and feelings of guilt they had been carrying within themselves for way too long.

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of All My Secrets by Lynn Austin. It allowed me to learn so much about Junietta’s and Sylvia’s character and integrity as they confessed and admitted to the past secrets they had harbored all those years. It was evident, that all Junietta and Sylvia really wanted was for Addie to live the best possible life she could. Both women, poured their hearts out and divulged all that they had kept to themselves all these years. They expressed their feelings, the fears they experienced, the disappointments they endured and the decisions they were forced to make over the course of their lives. All My secrets was about grief, loss, forgivable sins, choices, and charity. It was told through the POV of each of the three Stanhope women. Lynn Austin expertly wove the past and present together through the memories both Junietta and Sylvia shared with Addie, the actions they took and the discoveries they made. All My Secrets was one of my favorite books so far this year. It was so well written and reflected the era it was written in so authentically. I really enjoyed All My Secrets by Lynn Austin and recommend it very highly.

Thank you to Recorded Books for allowing me to listen to All My Secrets by Lynn Austin through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and getting a glimpse into a family dynamic in this time period, especially one made up of women. It's not common that people come to understand how dire times could be for women before we gained more rights in the 1900s and getting that insight is valuable. As a historian, I appreciated the bits of research that were included in this novel to gain the aforementioned insights. There was nothing too in-depth when it came to that. There was an overarching narrative of finding love, grace, and forgiveness and I really enjoyed it. It was not a heavy novel nor was the author hammering us with Biblical content, which sometimes I feel occurs in Christian novels and can leave a bad taste. It was mentioned and an important part of the character arcs for the women's stories and, again, very appreciated. I would definitely recommend this to friends and family. This was a really sweet story and left me feeling light and happy at the end of a very long and stressful week. It was just the book I needed! :)

All My Secrets, Lynn Austin’s latest novel, reminded me that she’s a queen of Christian historical fiction. She combines compelling characters, a strong sense of place, and issues of faith to create must-read stories. I really appreciated the audiobook narrated by Sarah Zimmerman.

While many of her books take place in times of war and hardship, All My Secrets is set in the opulence of Gilded Age (1898) New York City. But, as we know, wealth does not ensure perfect, trouble-free lives and the Stanhope family is no exception. The plot features three generations of Stanhope women as each deals with her family of origin, past choices and losses, current decisions, and future hopes and dreams.

I especially enjoyed that using wealth to fund charitable causes that assist people was an important theme. I’ve been involved in philanthropy on personal and professional levels and have witnessed the impact for both givers and receivers. It was also great that women’s suffrage gets mentioned as well.

Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for access to the audiobook. This story will stay with me for quite some time.

This audio version of All My Secrets was very good. I very much enjoyed the book and the reader. The plot was great; the book very much held my interest and I am not usually a reader of historical fiction. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I highly this recommend this book to any reader of fiction regardless of your usual genre. I will definitely look for more books by Lynn Austin!

Once again Lynn Austin expertly swept me away in her tale with wonderful characters that had me laughing out loud one moment and sobbing a second later. A beautiful story that made me ponder the values of life, and a happy ending that will left me sighing with satisfaction.

I love Lynn Austin’s writing style and her characters. However, All My Secrets was a little difficult to get into it. The story is interesting, but it kind of fell flat. I just felt like something is missing and I cannot put my finger on it. Overall is a lovely story, but I never truly engaged with it as a reader.

I've read a few of Lynn Austin's books, but WOW, none of them have hit quite like this one! Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an audiobook to read and review.

All My Secrets is a twisting, winding historical fiction story that tells the stories 3 generations of women who come to a crossroads together and need to reflect on their pasts and share their secrets in order to move forward and come together. But more than that, this fictional story is one of the best presentations of Gospel grace I've ever read!

At one point, a woman has a baby out of wedlock, and has a conversation with a priest about forgiveness and grace after such a sin that continues to have consequences--forgiveness doesn't make one a virgin again even if Christ looks upon us as pure in heart through our faith and grace. And what Austin wrote as the priest's response is an almost exact conversation I had with my husband before we were dating when I asked him the same question. After reading that portion of the book, I was so awestruck! Austin wrote that scene, and more like it afterwards, with such beauty, truth, and excellent storytelling.

The drama is believable! The characters are believable! I don't know how she wrote this so well! She ticks all the boxes!

The narration is wonderful. I enjoyed reading via audio.

I want to recommend this book shouting from the rooftops!

This book was such a beautiful depiction of historical women may have pushed back against the system, found ways to survive and thrive. I appreciate how the author handled adoption in the context of the mid-to-late 1800s as well as how women had limited power and were required to be creative to manage.

I enjoyed this book very much

This is a story about three generations of women within the same family set during the Gilded Age which quickly drew me in and kept me hooked to the very end. Very rich in detail blending history, family dynamics, and the Christian faith. One of my favorite books I've read this year! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.