I love a good memoir, and this one was a 5-star read for me. What starts out as a housekeeper taking a new job turns into something so much bigger; full of secrets, heartbreak, and strength. On her deathbed, Lee Metoyer asks Sandy Schnakenburg to write her life story... but the catch is, Sandy doesn’t actually know it yet. From there, she sets out to uncover the truth, and what she finds is both shocking and deeply personal. It’s emotional, gripping, and honestly, I couldn’t put it down.

This emotional read is held together by the character Lee, a housekeeper who works in an abusive household and ,well, makes life more bearable for everyone.

This is a well told tale and well worth the reading time.

For me it was an unexpected read and I really enjoyed it.

I think this would be a fab book club read as readers may well have a different viewpoint to what actually happens

I loved it

Wow! What an amazing book of healing, love, perseverance. Lee’s story has an incredible turn of events towards the end of the book. Sandy did a phenomenal job brings the lives of her and Lee’s family to paper. After reading this story it makes me want to learn more about Lee’s family’s history. A wonderful book and quick read.

5 Stars – Gripping, emotional, and beautifully written!

The Housekeeper’s Secret is a masterfully crafted tale that pulls you in from the very first page. The characters are richly developed, especially the housekeeper, whose quiet strength and layered past make her utterly compelling. The secrets unravel at just the right pace, keeping the suspense alive while deepening the emotional impact.

The author’s writing is elegant yet accessible, painting vivid scenes and evoking genuine emotion. Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption are woven seamlessly into a plot full of unexpected twists. By the end, I was left both heartbroken and hopeful—always the sign of a great read.

Highly recommend to fans of domestic drama, mystery, or anyone who loves a story with heart and depth. The Housekeeper’s Secret is unforgettable.

I just finished a good book that you can read now. The Housekeeper's Secret by Sandra Schnakenburg is available now.

This intriguing memoir captivates readers until the very end. It is a story about the housekeeper, Lee Metoyer, but it includes descriptions of the lives of the individual family members, chiefly the overbearing and abusive husband and father. As the family grows, Lee and the author's mother hold the family together through love, support, warmth, and caring.

The author writes and researches Lee's story, which she always kept secret from the family. It is shocking, brutal, and remarkable. The author writes Lee's story with honesty and compassion while honoring her beloved housekeeper. Sandra's writing throughout the book is heartfelt and gracious. Her sincere and vivid descriptions of Lee encourage readers to understand and appreciate her completely.

This is an emotional story that will move readers. I enjoyed it immensely.

What a touching but at times difficult book to read. The Housekeepers Secrets tells the story of how a family is held together by Lee the housekeeper, when she arrives and finds the family falling apart by an abusive father/husband who seems only interested in what is in his best interest. As the story unravels over the years so does the story of Lee and the horrors somewhat of the family, more sadness than happiness. The story does end on a happier note and I am glad I read the book. Thank you NetGalley for the read.

An interesting exploration of how a promise to Lee, the woman she grew up with - who spent so much of her life looking after Sandy's family as their housekeeper, and kept all of their secrets - leads to Sandy's discovery of the unexpected secrets of Lee's own life.

This is one woman's journey of self discovery and a better understanding of her own past, which comes about as the direct result of delving into another's life. It gets 3.5 stars.

A beautiful and heartbreaking book about the love between the author and the woman who she considered to be her second mother. Whilst this book handled some extremely traumatic events it was done so with immense care, kindness, respect, and sensitivity. A testament to the secrets we keep to protect ourselves, and that love always wins out in the end.