Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

I really enjoyed the book, it has everything I love in a novel from start to finish. I can’t wait to read what the author has planned next!

Seemingly straight forward but uncovering secrets by the score. One lead to another and Alex's world was turned upside down. What was a normal occupation - manageress of a country home and expanding the business, being the adopted daughter of a very nice set of middle class parents and then you sort of ending up having royalty ancestry, lots of money and a very complicated background.

It was a bit difficult for me to follow the various strands of the story as it was very involved but they all came together very well. The mystery and the ancestry was one section, the romance was another and they blended well.

The setting of the old English manor, the bits of history adding to the interest in the story were good and kept me going throughout the book.

Goodreads and Amazon review up on 29/5/2017. Review on my blog mid Sept 2017

There's a lot more to this delightful novel than the cover or the blurb would lead you to believe. This is not your standard chicklit- it's a well written and complicated tale which waves back and forth in time a bit with a mystery and, indeed, romance. Alex is complicated, realistic character who you will totally root for as she works to solve the questions raised by the locket. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I liked this a lot and think you will too if you'd like a read that's light, page turning, and intriguing.

Alex loves her job as manager of the Elizabethan stately home - Mallow Court - from day one she felt that she belonged there and has made great inroads into making it into a profitable organisation - until the first wedding that fails to happen - how could it be her fault that the vicar got together with the groom the night before the wedding!

When she is given a beautiful pendant by Catherine, the owner of Mallow Court, however things start to change - she starts to ask questions and also to question her own heritage - what is the link between herself and Mallow Court and why is Catherine behaving so strangely and what is the Russian connection?

After no men her life since uni Alex also has two exciting men in her life - Tim the barrister who has a powerful affect on her and seems to good to be true - but why is he so keen for her to meet his grandmother and is he everything he seems to be and then there is Chris the clockmaker who she instantly feels at ease with but he is the step sister of the bride from the wedding that never happened and how could she ever face his father again!

Fully of intrigue and a story going back to the war told by diary entries of an ambulance driver the story twists and turns so that you are never quite sure who to trust but very compelling reading with the right mix of mystery and romance and some great characters - loved the naughty vicar!

Never read any by this author before but I will do now! Loved the book, very interesting not just a normal love story a lot more to it details from past. I really enjoyed this and it was a shame to get to the end!

Lots of secrets, likable characters and a pretty good flow to the story. Towards the end, you really have to suspend disbelief with some of the plot points, but still a decent read.

I have to say though, that the use of the term "uninvited guest" and all the "quotations" used, DROVE ME CRAZY!! Just sayin' !

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

Thank you, again, to Melisa for making me want to request this after I read her review:)

I love secrets and putting that with old English manors, well then, you have yourself a great combination. So there were a lot of secrets for our protagonist, Alex, to find the answers to. The story started off with chuckles with a wedding fiasco and from there things took a dramatic turn. We had an intruder, mysterious diary entries being left, attentions from a possible culprit, family issues......There was a lot going on! I enjoyed it though because I really liked the characters. Alex, I was rooting for her and hoping that she got her HEA, Mrs. Farichild, Alex's dad, Chris....I liked them all. I liked that there were chapters broken up by diary entries from WWII that held secrets of their own. It was just a story to read, relax, and enjoy.

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Blurb :
Alex Hart loves her dream job as manager of Mallow Court, a historic Elizabethan house, even if her friends think she needs to get out more. But a discovery in the pocket of an old coat – a jewelled mechanical locket shaped like a bird – changes everything, and Alex discovers that things are not as they seem.
From an old diary, to a handsome barrister, a mysterious clockmaker, and the darkest hours of the London Blitz, Alex must follow the trail of the jewelled bird to uncover the truth about the things she holds dearest – and someone is determined not to let sleeping dogs lie!
Only by finding the secrets of the past can Alex find the keys to her future – and her heart.

My Thoughts :
Firstly I was drawn to the beautiful cover of this book. And after reading the blurb it sounded intriguing.
Personally I am not a fan of Historical fiction or olden day books but I wanted to give this ago. I am so pleased that I did as ive given it 5 stars and is so far one of my top reads of 2017.
I found myself easily drawn into the story, and taking an instant liking to Alex. As we learn more about her life and what brought her to Mallow Court, we are taken on a magical mystery tour to get some answers from the past.
I loved trying to piece all the clues together and got excited at Alex's findings along the way. I have fallen in love with the Singing bird locket and was transfixed finding out its story.
I love Lauren Westwood's style of writing and you can see a lot of time and effort has gone into the research and writing of the story.
It worked well written from a dual POV with one telling the story from 1940 in the London Blitz, and the other was present day. There was so much to this story and I recommend anyone to read this, you will not be disappointed.

This is a fascinating mystery - both intricate and absorbing.

I thought this would be a lighthearted romance but it was actually an extremely well woven mystery with great characters, both past and present, and the outcome was both satisfying and extremely plausible.

A thoroughly enjoyable novel which worked it's way into my mind so that I was thinking of it even when my kindle wasn't in my hand - well, I have to put it down occasionally! I have no hesitation in recommending this one to aficionados of a really good involved mystery.

I received an arc via Net Galley for my honest and unbiased review.

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

Some days, my humble origins feel less like a chip on my shoulder and more like a steel girder.

But when you get to be my age, you don’t have to drive to Lover’s Lane for a fumble in the back of daddy’s car.

It was over almost before it began. And later on, as I write these words, the memory seems like a bubble frozen in amber. I replay his words in my head, try to remember every second. But it’s no use. I’m struck not by the things the great man said – but what he didn’t say. He never said ‘thank you.’

No problem. God forgives a multitude of sins. But for everyone else, I find that free-flowing champagne helps a lot.


My Review:

Finding Secrets contained several ripping good mysteries spanning over six decades. Written from my favorite dual POV, one narrator was speaking from 1940 in the midst of the London Blitz, and the other was more current and in the year 2000. Ms. Westwood consistently and deftly handled the transitions and built the tension with highly intriguing threads within each timeline. There were ample quirky characters to keep straight in each era as well as many deviously and craftily dropped clues and misdirections in this clever and complex plot that kept my head spinning. I reveled in it, although I began to suspect nearly everyone and held my breath hoping that someone was finally going to come through for the beleaguered Alex. The plot was entertaining and well constructed while Ms. Westwood’s writing was insightful, richly detailed, keenly observant, and frequently amusing. I also picked up a few new vocabulary words to add to my Brit word list, I just love when that happens.

One of this month's most intriguing reads is Finding Secrets, the new novel by Lauren Westwood (author of Finding Home).

When Alex Hart left university, she didn't think she'd see herself as the manager of an Elizabethan country manor. Getting the job at Mallow Court wasn't part of the medieval history graduate's plan, but things worked out just nicely. Maybe too nicely - Alex has spent so much time in the grounds of the house, hosting weddings and giving tours that she's seemingly forgotten to have fun.

When a mysterious, attractive stranger turns up at Mallow Court, Alex is suddenly swept up by feelings and the realisation that maybe she's missing something in her life. However, things immediately change when she finds a beautiful and unique silver locket in the old coat belonging to Mrs Fairchild, the owner of Mallow Court.

Before she knows it, Alex finds herself in the middle of in a mystery - one that she has to get to the bottom of. A mystery that involves the London Blitz and the Russian Revolution, and a diary. Can Alex help Mrs Fairchild, and also find her own path to happiness along the way?

I haven't read Finding Home, so this was the first novel by Lauren Westwood I'd picked up. And I was so happy I did. Finding Secrets is the perfect mix of romance and mystery, with an intelligent, compelling heroine that I was rooting for since the beginning. Alex is relatable, smart and fun, and it's hard not to want her to find the answers - and the life - that she's been looking for.

Finding Secrets is a wonderful read with great characters, plenty of intrigue and a generous helping of romance!

First of all, the cover of this book completely threw me off the scent so to speak. Whilst it is pretty to look at, it really doesn't match the storyline at all! Whilst completely unexpected, the way in which the storyline unfolded, compared to my initial expectations due to the cover, it was a very welcome surprise.
Alex Hart is the manager of Mallow Court, a country house which gives visitors a taste of Elizabethan history every single time the door is open. Alex has been involved in the running of Mallow Court for many years, yet the day-to-day routines have been quite simplistic and calm...until now. Alex knew a little bit of information about her blood relatives, but it wasn't quite enough to complete the puzzle. Life at Mallow Court is about to get very intense, lets just hope that Alex is up for Finding Secrets.
I'd be lying if Alex and I became bosom buddies straight away as I found her character to be a quite unattached and cold about her past. For me, something didn't quite add up with her the way she was reacting to the knowledge, it was as though she didn't care about it. I really did find her a tough personality to warm up to, I must admit. After several chapters had passed and the storyline began to unfold in an 'oooo intriguing' kind of way, Alex's personality seemed to suit her better. Well, I think it was that! More characters emerged as the storyline progressed, each one coming with their own skeletons and personal secrets. That was when I truly knew that I was going to enjoy this novel.
If you step back and focus on the shell of the novel, you might find that it is purely a book about a country house that does guided tours, has a gift shop and has a man who takes yoga classes. However, whilst those facts may be true, there is a lot more to 'Finding Secrets' that meets the eye. I loved how the book took me on a rollercoaster ride! There were so many twisty corners to the entire storyline, I'm surprised I didn't end up with travel sickness!
Lauren Westwood has incorporated a lot of fascinating, historic information within 'Finding Secrets', and, despite being unaware of the intensity to that particular history, I loved finding out more. I have only really read historical novels which centre the UK around its findings whilst including other countries and events as extras; I hadn't read a novel which features monarchy from another country which THEN links with the UK. Incredibly fascinating! So much so, I had google open whilst I was reading it so that I could find out more. The author has embedded those facts deep within the storyline so it's as though you, the reader, are the one uncovering that history for the very first time. Does that make sense? It wasn't the focal point of the story, yet it wasn't overshadowed by the individual characters and their own lives.
Overall, I found 'Finding Secrets' to be a storyline with a multitude of layers, some were expected yet most of them caught me off guard in such a positive way. Whilst I had reservations about the storyline to begin with, Lauren Westwood managed to win me round with her cosy and descriptive writing style, whilst teasing me (as a reader) with one or two red herrings. Lets just say the author kept my curiosity in check, and then some.
'Finding Secrets' is an unexpected, intense and highly fascinating read which highlights the importance of not judging a book (situation) by its cover. Not only that, 'Finding Secrets' teaches us readers that a wrongly kept secret and not learning the truth, can make a person's individual walls come crashing down with no warning whatsoever. An eye-opener in more ways than one, 'Finding Secrets' kept me on my toes and is definitely a book which kept on giving.
Thank you Aria.

Within the first couple of chapters you get to know Alex pretty well and by the end I can easily say that I was attached to her character. I was definitely hoping there would be a happy ending along with the answers she was looking for. The romance running throughout was a delight and it really is a lovely addition to the mystery that Alex sets out to solve. I think Alex's job sounds wonderful although maybe not dealing with the irate bride part! The lovely descriptions of the house and gardens really made everything come to life.

The diary entries were such a great way of revealing the past every time I finished an entry I needed to know more. I loved reading them just as much as the story with Alex. I've always been interested in history so this part of the story really appealed to me. The mystery running throughout the book was brilliant and captured my attention perfectly. I loved trying to put the clues together to try and work things out. With information being slowly revealed my interest was kept completely. I had to know how everything would turn out and if the mystery would be solved.

I have to admit that I ended up reading late one night as I just didn't want to stop reading! That was how invested I became in the story and I loved that there were a few twists that kept me on my toes. If you are looking for a uplifting story but with a little depth due to the history aspect than Finding Secrets is a great choice.

Finding Secrets has the perfect combination of mystery, romance and history!

Four and a half stars from me!

Thank you to Aria & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

After reading Finding Home by Lauren Westwood and really enjoying it, I was really Eager to read her new book Finding Secrets and was not disappointed.

I pretty much loved everything about this book. It was unpredictable and had the right balance you expect from a book of this genre. The Characters were all lovable and charming and realistic. It is the perfect weekend book to read curled up with a cuppa!

I am in love with Lauren Westwood's writing style it just has me feeling all the feels. One of my favorite books so far of 2017.

This book was just not for me. The plot did not draw me in and the characters were uninteresting. Was hoping for more complex characters with a better story.

When Alex Hart takes a manager position at Mallow Court, she was content with her time being spent tucked away, drinking wine and reading. But when her employer Mrs. Fairchild finds herself in the midst of trouble, Alex's quiet world gets tipped upside down. Can Alex figure out the mystery? And maybe get the guy she has fallen for too?

I love a little mystery and adding in some romance too? Bingo! It's hard to find a good romantic mystery though. It's either an obvious mystery and was just thrown in to add something to the romantic bit or else the romance falls flat and the mystery is overpowering.

That is not Finding Secrets. Westwood found the perfect balance and seamlessly weaved love and mystery together in this book.

I loved that nothing was predictable. Even when you got an inkling of it, the book would take a new twist and you were back to square one. The end was a bit of a shock.

There's some English family-name class clash, true Russian history that's been entertainingly expounded upon, even if it is just fictional, and some Blitz history too. These were never things I'd ever imagine being meshed together, but in Finding Secrets, it works.

I loved the way the journal entries tied the past to the present. Throughout the book you were able to read snippets that pertained to the next chapter and it was a nice way of the author bringing the reader along and not leaving them totally in the dark until the very end.

This book is a great read. I couldn't wait to read just a couple more chapters after all the daily shenanigans I have to battle through. Like chasing the dog through the yard for a half an hour to get her inside.

As of right now, this book is only in e-reader format which is a bummer because it would be a great addition to any women's lit shelf. This is my first Westwood book, but I'm for sure going to be ordering Finding Home now. And that's in paperback!

Pre-Order Finding Secrets by Lauren Westwood here!

Thank you Netgalley and Aria for allowing me the pleasure of reading and reviewing this wonderful book!