The Family Secret by Sheryl Browne
The Family Secret by Sheryl Browne
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Publication date - 29th January 2020
Publisher - @bookouture
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Thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC 👍
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Description
Claire always wished for a sister. But should you be careful what you wish for?
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Claire has spent her whole marriage trying to be the perfect wife and mother – supporting her husband as he goes for promotions and always making sure she’s there to tuck her daughter into bed each night. But little does she know that almost everyone around her has been keeping secrets that could ruin the life she’s worked so hard to create.
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Growing up with warring parents and an often absent father, Claire has always wanted to give her daughter Ella the dream childhood she wishes she’d had. So, when she discovers her husband Luke has been having an affair, Claire is left wondering how she can possibly keep her daughter’s world from crumbling.
Then Claire receives a text message from someone called Sophie that simply reads – ‘You don’t know me, but I’m your sister’. At first, she’s shocked. And Sophie’s appearance raises questions Claire would like to put to her elderly father before it’s too late. But as she gets to know Sophie – who is so like her in so many ways – she can’t help but be delighted to finally have the sibling she always dreamed of.
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As the two women become inseparable, Claire leans on her new sister more and more, ultimately asking her to move into the family home and trusting her with Ella. But when the unthinkable happens and Claire fears for her daughter’s life, she starts to wonder whether her new sister is exactly who she says she is.
One thing Claire knows is that telling the perfect lie seems to run in the family.
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This book has so many twists you can't put it down! No literally - I consumed this book in one sitting! 😂
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This is a character-driven narrative and the characters Sheryl has woven are deep, complex and extremely well developed. The crux of the book is the relationship between Claire and Sophie and this is where it shines. I also want to become an ’auntie’ to Ella as she comes across as being the most bright and precocious child!
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The storyline of having to deal with caring for a parent with dementia is dealt with empathy, noting the heartbreak, guilt and love that all intermingle to cause an overwhelming sadness at the situation.
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People have commented that they guessed the main twist around Sophie but I think you are meant to, as you are longing for Luke to either meet her or see a picture! It helps to build up the tension towards the end of the book!
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The Family Secret is going to be a book to watch in 2020 as the twists and tension the narrative generate are superb!
