Little Secrets: A Novel

I'm not sure Little Secrets quite covers this one because most of the secrets between the covers of this book aren't what I'd call little. Big or little, there are secrets. In fact, it seems like everybody has one at least. Honestly, I wasn't sure how well I'd do with this book. Any time little kids are involved there's a better than average chance that I'll have a problem getting through it. And don't get me wrong, the story is certainly emotional, but it's also filled with an ever-rising tension - the type that has you inching further and further toward the edge of your seat. I read Jar of Hearts and if I recall, I was impressed by Hillier's characters. The characters here are just as impressive. In most cases, a person isn't all good or all bad. Instead, we're a product of our environment and the events in our lives, and how we handle those events. And I think that's the thing that strikes me with Jennifer Hillier's characters. Good or bad, they're human. They make mistakes, they sometimes don't handle things all that great, and some are just completely unhinged but hide it well. This one has a bit of all that and more, and at any given time I would find myself liking, or at least empathizing with a character I didn't like just pages earlier, or vice versa. I don't think there was a single character in this book who I liked completely. Maybe Sebastian, but you kind of have to like the toddler. I won't go into the details of the story because just about anything would be at the very least spoiler-ish, but I will say that the author doesn't disappoint when it comes to twists. There were a couple of times when I was sure I knew where things were going only to be surprised by a twist I didn't see coming, which is exactly what a really good psychological thriller should do. Suffice it to say that this is the second book I've read by this author and both have been superb from start to finish.

4.5 stars. Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier is a fiendishly twisted domestic thriller. Sixteen months later, upscale salon owner Marin Machado cannot let go of her guilt over her four year old son Sebastian’s kidnapping. She is still struggling to return to normal life and she remains haunted by her son’s disappearance. With the help of her therapist and group therapy, Marin now goes into work for a few hours daily. However, at home, she and her husband Derek have drifted apart and they spend little time together. When her private investigator Vanessa Castro emails her, Marin is hoping for news of Sebastian. Vanessa instead informs her that Derek is having an affair with grad student McKenzie “Kenzie” Li. Although not overly surprised by the revelation, Marin is absolutely furious at… Kenzie. Instead of confronting Derek, she calls her longtime best friend, bar owner Sal Palermo. After a drunken afternoon together, Marin takes Sal up on his offer to help rid herself of her problem. But will she eventually regret her impulsive decision? Marin is barely functioning after Sebastian’s kidnapping. She narrowly survived the deep depression that overtook her but she is making progress at rejoining life. She knows she is responsible for the growing distance between her and Derek, but she cannot muster the energy to try to fix her marriage. Energized and enraged after learning of his affair, Marin sets in motion a stunning plan to remove Kenzie from their lives. Kenzie is struggling to make ends meet when she becomes involved with Derek. She is fully aware he is married but she does not allow his marital status to bother her. Kenzie has a tangled history that is revealed late in the story and provides startling insight into what guides her choices in the present. Unfolding from both Marin’s and Kenzie’s points of view, Little Secrets is a riveting mystery that is full of tension. The characters are vibrantly developed but none of them are particularly likable. The storyline is engaging and the suspense grows with each passing chapter. With a couple of jaw-dropping plot twists, Jennifer Hillier brings this clever mystery to a breathless, edge of the seat finale. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this diabolical mystery to fans of the genre. I received a complimentary copy for review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. While the story itself is well done and had a great editor sometimes it was just information overload. The author does build her characters in a way that makes you want to know more but at the same you want her to get to the point. But you can't sneak ahead or skim because she plants little details along the way that all make since in the end. It is definitely a little dark and very intriguing and yes there are plenty of twist that you wont see coming. That is why I am on the fence. While I would love to say it was absolutely a 5 star read I have to say that for me it fell a little short but only because there were times when I was just hanging in. I have read this author before and yes she does write a story that will keep you turning the page to find out what happens next. She does make you feel the pain of her characters as they go from one mind blowing event to the next. The desperate actions of a woman who can't handle another loss. The mother whose child has gone missing and carries the blame. The secrets, lies, betrayal, yeah she makes you feel it all. This author does a brilliant job of tying it all together. Will I read more of her work?? Absofreakinglutely!!