Emma Robinson’s We Both Have Secrets is a gripping and emotionally charged drama centered on Ellen, who discovers her husband Robert is hiding a secret during a visit to a friend’s villa in Spain. As suspicion and guilt bubble to the surface, Ellen confronts not only Robert’s hidden truth but also her own long-suppressed secret—forcing a reckoning that could either fracture or ultimately heal their family.
Robinson's strength lies in her emotionally resonant storytelling, with vivid character dynamics and the chilling tension of buried truths gradually unveiled. Readers are drawn in from the opening line and remain riveted by the layered revelations and moral dilemmas. Though the book leans into poignant family drama and suspense, its impact lies in how secrets shape identity—and whether honesty can ultimately restore trust.
Ideal for fans of emotional thrillers and family-centric women’s fiction, this novel delivers both heartache and catharsis with compelling intensity.

We Both Have Secrets is a domestic family fiction where everyone has secrets.

Set between Malaga in Spain and the UK and told across multiple timelines throughout it is a slow burn that never really sets alight. I didn't particularly like the main character who was supsicious of everyone and everything and although it held my attention enough to finish it I didn't love it or hate it, it was just ok. Having said that many people are giving it glowing reviews so it might just not be a book for me so make your own mind up.

3 stars ***

Ellen and Robert have been together since meeting in freshers week at university. Ellen found herself pregnant shortly before graduation and Robert stood by her and married shortly after they now have two girls who are both grown up their youngest Emily is just about to head off to university. Grace is finding this a difficult time empty nest syndrome feeling often felt by mum’s when their children move out.
Her and Robert have had a happy marriage, but she’s often wondered whether he would still married her. Had she not been pregnant? She’s now beginning to doubt the life they’ve built together. She feels like he’s pulling away and she wants to rekindle their marriage

As they drop their youngest daughter off at university, they are met by the daughter of their old friend Lucy.
Lucy and Ellen were best friends. They went around together as a group with Robert and a few other students. However, they drifted apart when Ellen became pregnant and motherhood and young family life got in the way.
After speaking to Lucy for the first time in many years, Lucy invites them to her holiday home in Spain to spend some time getting to know each other again. Ellen is keen to go but Robert was very reluctant on the plane there Alan begins to wonder what is bothering Robert Does he still love her?

Shortly after arriving, at Lucy‘s Villa Ellen begins to suspect something more is going on Robert and Lucy spend time together and she feels excluded. Are they having an affair?

Lucy’s eldest daughter who is only a year younger than Robert and Ellen’s daughter turns up unexpectedly at the villa and Robert is shocked to see her. This throws Elleninto even more doubt. How does Robert know Charlotte? Where have they met before she suddenly sees them spending time together and feels once again excluded? What secrets are they keeping from her? Is Robert having an affair with Lucy or with Charlotte?


We follow Ellen Robert Lucy and their girls as Ellen discovers exactly what Robert has been hiding. As they navigate the future will their family survive what other secrets are still being kept and will be secrets break their family apart?

I really enjoyed reading this story and getting to know the characters at times. I felt frustrated with Ellen but I could understand her actions and reactions. I enjoyed how the story evolved and how the secrets were revealed.

Emma has done a fantastic job writing her characters and bringing them to life for us readers

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title

I have read a few of Emma’s books and I enjoyed this one. There was plenty happening with twists I didn’t guess and I enjoyed the ending. Maybe lacked a little suspense as her previous books I’ve read have.

Having read several books by this author previously and reviews on the Curran took by people who had already read it I was expecting a real page turner! Although the book was interesting with family secrets and relationships I did not find it gripping. Overall an easy holiday read which is concluded nicely.

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
We Both Have Secrets is a touching, moving and engaging read with a surprise or two.
Emma Robinson is a new author for me and I will definitely read more from her.
Ellen and Robert are off to Malaga for a three day holiday.
Staying with a college friend Lucy and her husband Joe, even though they haven’t seen them in decades.
Their two daughters Abigail and Grace are having their own issues and love melodrama.
But Robert is reluctant to go and his attitude is distant and cold.
Ellen begins to worry when a note from Robert is found.
He is hiding a secret but what he doesn’t know is so is Ellen……
I’m usually one for the great selection of psychological thrillers from Bookouture but this time I went with a women’s fiction title and a new author.
I really enjoyed this book.
A emotional family saga with secrets and soul.
I read in one sitting and very much liked the story.

Emma Robinson books never disappoint and this was no exception. Old secrets are disclosed making this a gripping story that I raced through.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC which I loved

Another gripping page-turner from Emma Robinson with an unexpected twist at the end. Her books never fail to keep you enthralled and this one certainly didn't fail to hit the mark.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Robert and Ellen are empty nesters now, as their youngest of two daughtersa started university. It's time to put effort into their own relationship and be close to each other again. Her long-lost friend Lucy invited them to her Spanish villa. Ellen is excited about it. When they both arrive, she found her husband is hiding something big, which everyone knows but herself. She has secrets of her own, and it's time to get everything out in the open.

✨️A simple and engaging, easy-to-read family drama. Told from Ellen's point of view, including snippets from their past university lives. Ellen has several insecurities about herself, and most of the time, she is paranoid and doubting everyone throughout the fitst half. The second half of the book is much more interesting and emotional. Once both of their shocking secrets are revealed, the love and support of family members are beautifully maintained. The burden of secrets in any relationship can destroy lives, and the strength to overcome the problems was captured in the book with the satisfying ending.

Ellen and Robert are keeping secrets from one another….secrets that threaten their relationship. This story kept me reading to find out the secrets, but I found I didn’t fully enjoy the journey. This was a book that will be easily forgotten by me.

I couldn’t put this one down. It’s an emotional rollercoaster full of twists, as long-buried secrets start to surface and unravel everything this family thought they knew. The setting adds a brilliant contrast to the tension bubbling underneath, and the characters—especially the mother—felt heartbreakingly real. A gripping and moving story about love, betrayal, and the power of truth.

Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for the chance to read this book

This book took me on a WILD RIDE, I had a whole different scenario in mind with what I was reading, but not disappointing at all, was quite pleasantly surprised how invested I was after the plot twist. I'm a very Thriller genre type reader, not great about getting out of my comfort zone with books, so I was Honestly very surprised that I ended up loving this book... didn't care much for the husband before, but after I was very one with what was happening and was invested in the outcome of the family (trying desperately not to say too much) but LOVED the part where the girls took "revenge" at the end!

We Both Have Secrets by Emma Robinson was just a brilliant book, then again I have loved all Emma's books I've read and they have been a 5⭐️ read, this one was No different! But, The only thing I will say, is they should come with a big warning - You will need Tissues., Oh and don't start to read her books if you have something planned for that day or your just about to go to bed!!!! As like me I will need to keep on reading it till the end to see what happens! I ended up reading it till the end as I could not put it down.

We Both have Secrets was an emotional rollercoaster read and all the characters played an excellent part to make this book special and an excellent read. It will keep you guessing till the very end. Very Clever Emma.

Another 5⭐️ read.. . . . .Great for your holidays but you will need to read this book with your sunglasses on under a umbrella or tree so no one see's your "Sweat!!!"

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Ellen and Robert are college sweethearts about to be empty nesters. But their marriage has lost its pizzazz. Nothing like reuniting with an old college friend to refresh things... not.
You think this book is pretty predictable but it's got some change ups. Change ups that were a bit odd or just out of the ordinary whatever. When you get through the main reveal and deal with that fallout, you remember the book is We BOTH Have Secrets. So the 'second half' begins.

This book was so frustrating for me. It totally put me in a negative mood just over marital issues. I guess that's the point though? The whole first half of the book I was just mad. Mad at the husband, at the friend, and then at Ellen who is a totally pathetic naive doormat. The book is told completely in her POV so I really just wanted to shake her. A lot.

Overall, it was a good book, it kept my interest - even though I hated everyone. Well, hate is pretty strong - how about really disliked?
But... all's well that ends well.
If half star ratings were available, I would rank this as 3.5, but they aren't, so it's just a 3.

This book was very good! I loved the secrets and twists/ things I didn’t see coming! This book is a must read! I definitely will recommend to friends and family

Thank you @bookouture and @emmarobinsonuk for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

🌞With their daughters now grown up, ELLEN and ROBERT want to focus on their own relationship again. When a close friend invites them to stay at her villa in Spain, it seems like the perfect chance for a romantic getaway.

🌞But once they arrive, things change as Robert becomes more distant. He stops talking and takes long walks alone, which worries Ellen. Then she finds a crumpled note that suggests Robert has been keeping a secret. Heartbroken, she realizes that his hidden truth might tear their family apart, and she has to decide whether to share her own secret. With both of them holding onto their secrets, she wonders if they can move forward.

MY THOUGHTS: This book masterfully weaves dual timelines, creating a rich storyline filled with likable characters and unexpected twists. The secrets, gradually revealed throughout the story, took me by surprise, keeping me engaged in the unfolding drama as I eagerly turned the pages to discover how everything would resolve. The setting was beautifully described, and the strong character development added depth to the storyline. Overall, this is an enjoyable read that held my attention from start to finish.

First, I want to thank Emma Robinson, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Buckle up Emma Robinson Fan’s as the goddess of tearjerkers is back to take you on another emotional rollercoaster ride! We Both Have Secrets had me reaching for the tissues as the tears escaped my eyes for this one. If you like emotionally driven books with a lot of family drama, a little bit of mystery, and a lot of heart then this book is for you.

Emma wants to dedicate this book to Nina and thanks her for her unwavering support.

The graphics department did a beautiful job for the cover of We Both Have Secrets!

Emma had my heart in my chest and scrambling for the tissues in the very first line of the prologue! I swear she knows what to say to trigger me to set off the waterworks! Then again that is one reason I love her books. She writes important stories that need to be written with a lot of heart and soul that will touch your heart in more ways than one. This is just one of the many that hit me harder than normal.

Robert was keeping many painful deep secrets from his wife and children that would leave them heartbroken if they found out. Many of the aspects of the story were especially painful for me to read. I usually devour her books in one sitting but this one I had to read over a few days. A few things in the book hit closer to home this time around.

What a great standalone story from Emma and definitely foxed me along the way!

The story follows Ellen and Robert and their relationship... built on truths, secrets and lies - but what is truth?

An old friend called Lucy invites the pair to her holiday home, and this is pretty much where life for the pair starts to unravel.

I absolutely love Emma's writing style. I'm usually really good at working out what's going to happen with these types of books, but Emma kept me guessing.

A few times, I thought I had sussed it, but... nope!

Ellen, as a character, is lovely, if incredibly insecure about herself, which is seen with her comparing herself to Lucy. She is an incredible Mum though and has built a successful career too even though she had her eldest daughter early.

Robert grew on me more as the book went by.

The story is a complex Web of full/half truths, lies, and secrets. Emma leaves enough information for the reader to try and work out, which is what is going on!

I did really feel for Ellen and her past, though, much like Robert's.

This is a classic crime thriller, and I had fun reading it, but to understand the story as a whole and get the real impact... you really do need to read it!

Recommend to crime and thriller lovers everywhere!

I was swept up in this unputdownable read about family secrets. I had suspicions as I flipped through the pages. Surprises greeted me in ways I didn’t imagine. This work of #womensfiction is a great book with secrets that will have you engaged throughout.

This is a heavily character driven novel. Old friendships, marriage troubles, children troubles. Ellen and Lucy attempt to rekindle their friendship from college.. but so much has happened since then. Is there too much water under the bridge or can they be friends again?

Ellen and Lucy frustrated me in the beginning. I couldn’t figure out why they were bothering to rekindle things. As the book went on it was easy to see why they had grown apart, and why they were making an effort again.

I couldn’t put this one down. It was a very quick read. Emmas’s books are always books I can devour.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.