Skip to main content

My Review of The Secret of You by Victoria Connelly

First off, let me just say that I listened to the audio book of this story (although I do have a review copy of the ebook to) and I would like to thank the author for sending this to me in exchange for my honest review.

What They Say:

Journalist Anna McCall has never understood people who collect things so, when she’s asked to interview local collector and eccentric, William Kitson, she isn’t exactly looking forward to the experience.

But she soon falls under the charm of Fox Hill Manor as well as its owner, even though she thinks there’s something very strange about the collection there. What exactly is William hiding in the unused wing of the manor house? And is it a story Anna could sell?

Set in the beautiful Cotswolds, The Secret of You is a novel about love, trust and antiques.

What I Say:

I've spoken to a few people about how to review an Audio book and have come to the conclusion that I will review just as I would for a normal book. It is, after all, the same story. It's just listened to instead of read.

The Secret of You is a wonderful story. Anna is asked to write a piece about someone she has heard mainly negative things about and isn't looking forward to meeting William. He's an eccentric collector and it brings to mind Anna's own sister, Libby who has serious collecting issues too. When William and Anna meet at Fox Hill Manor (FHM) neither is overly impressed with the other. Soon though, the frost starts to thaw and they find some common ground. Their relationship isn't smooth though.

I can't reveal much more, the secret is one you need to uncover for yourself. But I can say that it is brilliant! I have found my favourite character from a Victoria Connelly novel in this story!

FHM sounds like a wonderful, enchanted manor and I would love to visit somewhere like that! Libby's house, on the other hand, not so much. She lives in a standard terraced house (I think) and has filled it to the brim with junk (or collectibles as she sees it). Too much clutter and mess and it causes problems in he marriage. I did, however adore little Toby, her son!

All of the lose ends are tied up perfectly and this brilliant novel ends exactly as it should. It was perfect!

With regards to the audio book - Jan Cramer is the narrator and she is just ideal! Her characterizations were spot on and she told the story with tenderness, humour and warmth. I loved her!

A warm, heartfelt story that made me smile! 9/10

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Tour Stop with Extract and Review - What Happens in France by Carol Wyer

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for What Happens in France by Carol Wyer! What They Say: She stood and took her place in front of the camera... It was now or never” Bryony Masters has been looking for her long-lost sister, Hannah, for years, but when their father has a stroke her search takes on new urgency. So when primetime game show, What Happens in France, puts a call-out for new contestants, Bryony spots the ultimate public platform to find her reality TV-obsessed sister, and finally reunite their family. With the help of handsome teammate Lewis, it’s not long before she’s on a private jet heading for the stunning beauty of rural France. With a social media star dog, a high maintenance quiz host and a cast of truly unique characters, Bryony and Lewis have their work cut out for them to stay on the show and in the public eye. Yet as the audience grows and the grand prize beckons they find that the search that brought them together may just fulfil more tha

Why I'm Shaving My Head for Lancashire Women

Hi there! I know it's been ages since I've done a personal blog post.      Things have been... weird. I know the whole world has struggled getting used to this new normal and the new measures we have to follow. So many people have lost so much to COVID and my heart breaks for them. And while the virus itself hasn't changed my life very much, this time of lockdowns and self-isolating has been really hard for me too.      When it all first started to change, Steve was taken into hospital with a bunch of different symptoms. COVID wasn't really a thing then, so he wasn't tested for it, but looking back, we're pretty sure that's what it was. While he was in hospital in March, an inspector from the RSPCA came to check on the welfare of our dogs as they'd had a report that Sky, our GSD, was too skinny. She is petite, a slim girl who didn't have a good start in life but is spoilt rotten now, along with our other 2, Bella and Minnie. They had no concerns and

Blog Tour Stop with Review of A Truth For A Truth by Carol Wyer

  First off, I must apologise to Zoe and Carol. My blog tour stop was yesterday, and somehow my post got lost in the ether. I didn't notice until today, as thr hubby hasn't been well, and my time has been taken up with my dogs and caring for hubs. So, a day late and pared down from my original post due to lack of time, here is my review of A.Truth For A Truth by the wonderful Carol Wyer. Review: What can I say?? Any book by Carol Wyer is going to be a hit in my opinion, and this is no exception. DI Kate Young is a flawed character who is full of heart and humility. I think she's been dealt a shit hand in life, and struggles to figure out her path. Traumas and dramas, untrustworthy men, and unstable mental health make her slightly difficult to bond with sometimes. But still, I care a lot about her wellbeing. This installment of her series is really compelling, and an interesting take on a "who dunnit". More of a "who will they THINK dunnit"! I loved that!