A great read. I enjoyed reading it and it has a great plot and characters. I also look forward to more books from the author.

THis is a lovely escapist read, something to delve into and enjoy. It has a little bit of a glitzy, glamour feel to it with a country house and characters who have lived a life, but there are twists and turns and a satisfying ending. As per usual I felt a little bit of pruning wouldn't have gone amiss but a good read.

Charcombe Park, the house which links all the characters in this story, is grand and luxurious but to live there comes with a price. Xenia is an old lady now, descended from Russian royalty and through her we learn of life there in the 40’s and 50’s, with her film star mother who sadly suffered badly from depression. Buttercup is the latest incumbent with husband Charles. This is an excellent read (despite the gruesome treatments of yesteryear), but I did much prefer the modern parts of the story as Buttercup gets to grips with her not so perfect after all, husband. Bit of a slow burner, well at least Xenia’s parts were, but soon picked up speed when all the strands were woven together, to make an exciting novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Wonderful characters in a lovely setting but sadly I couldn't engage with the story and found it a little slow.

I have really loved all of Lulu Taylor's previous books and highly recommend them all, so I was excited to start reading this one. I wasn't disappointed. A fantastic tale set in a large house called Charcombe Park, this is a dual timeline novel - Buttercup lives in the present day and Xenia in the late 1940s/50s. Wonderful characters in a wonderful setting, there is nothing to dislike about this book. I loved the twists in the plot which I didn't see coming. I couldn't put it down.

Very hightly recommended - perfect for an afternoon on the sofa on a cold winter day. Fabulous, I can't wait for Lulu's next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I always enjoy books by Lulu Taylor and this one does not disappoint. The characters within the story are well thought out and the ending is unexpected. Entertaining read with intrigue and romance.

Sadly, this book was a ‘did not finish’ for me. It was just one of those books that I couldn’t connect with. Nobody ever expects to be hooked right from the first page but I at least expect to feel intrigued enough to continue and unfortunately that wasn’t the case for me.

This is a first for me by this author... but it won't be my last.

A story about past and present occupants of a house called Charcombe Park which is full of secrets, lies and some unforgettable characters.

‘My dear boy, the place is cursed. It always has been and it always will be . . .’

Buttercup Redmain has a life of pampered luxury, living in beautiful Charcombe Park. Her older husband, Charles Redmain, is wealthy and successful, and proud of the house he has painstakingly restored, once owned by a famous ancestor.

Buttercup is surrounded by people who make her life delightfully easy. But the one thing she really wants seems impossible. There are other discomforting realities: her husband’s ex-wife Ingrid still lives nearby although Buttercup has never met her. And it soon becomes clear that all the people who make Buttercup’s life so carefree are also watching her every move.

Does she actually live in a comfortable but inescapable cage? And what is the real story of her husband’s previous marriage?

Xenia Arkadyoff once lived in Charcombe Park with her father, a Russian prince, and her mother, a famous film star. Life seemed charmed, full of glamour and beauty. But behind the glittering facade lay pain, betrayal, and the truth about the woman Xenia spent her life protecting.

Now Charcombe Park is calling back people who were once part of its story, and the secrets that have stayed long hidden are bubbling inexorably to the surface . . .

There are several plot twists and an ending that you honestly won’t see coming... I didn't want to put this down once I started... but reading until late in the night meant I had to... when I picked it back up again the next day I was straight back into it and could not wait for the end.

I look forward to more of Lulu's work as this was just fantastic.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

I love, now and again, to have a change of reading from my normal psychological and mystery thrillers. This book ticked all the boxes. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. The story is told in the past and present, and centres on a country house and it’s previous and current owners. Xenia Arkadayoff, whose father was a Russian prince and her mother was a famous actress, once lived in the house before it was sold to the present owners, and she tells the story of the house and her family in the past. Buttercup (yes, I know!) is residing in Charcombe Park at present and is married to a very controlling husband, Charles Redmain, but she is not happy that his first wife still lives close by. Buttercup discovers just how controlling Charles is and how he is keeping secrets from her and she wants to escape. Both the present and past timelines had me gripped and everything comes together well. A recommended read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan McMillan for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This story ambles along and I found the first two thirds of the book a little slow. This section of the book set the scene for the main characters, Buttercup a newly married 30 something who thinks she has met the man of her dreams and Xenia, an older lady, descended from Russian royalty.

The story floats between present day and the 1950’s but with little to link them aside from the grand house that Buttercup now lives in and was once owned by Xenia.

The main story centres around the controlling and dominating husband of Buttercup and the memories Xenia has of her mother, an actress whose mental health deteriorated as her fame grew.

I guessed how this story would play out and did not find the final twists all that believable. I did like the characters though and it was well written.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Another wonderful book with wonderful characters and wonderfully written, a book to curl up with

My head is reeling, from that completely addictive conclusion to a wonderful book.

This is easily Lulu Taylor back to her best, and one of my favourite books by this author for a few years at least.

No idea where to start this review - there are quite a few threads to this story, but separated enough by chapters and where necessary year headings to make it very easy to follow and not be confused. In fact despite the length of the book, I found it to be a very fast story to read, and was gutted any time I had to put it down to get on with my real life.

The book all centres around Charcombe Park, a massive house which although magnificent to the outsiders eye, has had a chequered history. We learn about a few of the generations of people living in it and the two smaller properties either side of it.

There is Buttercup Redmain, wife of Charles Redmain who currently owns the house. She lives to the untrained eye a wonderful life full of great riches, and the freedom to not work, and just do as she wishes. However as the reader starts to delve beneath the surface, you soon see the truth of the situation.

She however is not the first Mrs Redmain, and she doesn't know much about Ingrid who was, only what she has been told, but she is highly curious, but unsure who she can trust. Ingrid lives in one of the two smaller properties, despite being divorced from Charles.

Then there is Xenia, she also used to live in Charcombe Park, with her famous actress mother and father. We get to learn about life in the late 1940s, and 1950s from Xenia's perspective and there is definitely an interesting story line about her mother in that. We also get to see her as an old lady now, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Actually I had a great deal of sympathy for all three of the key ladies in this story, as the truth starts to emerge.

This is a book that definitely crept under my skin as I was reading it, and when I wasn't I was thinking about it, wondering just what direction the story would take.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this novel, and already looking forward to seeing that this author writes next.

Thank you to Pan McMillan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I love Lulu Taylor's books so I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy of The Winter Secret. It has all my favourite ingredients: a dual timeline, an old house, a famous movie star - and a mystery to solve.

When a character in a book has a too-perfect life, you know everything is soon going to go horribly wrong! In the present day, sweet-natured Buttercup has been whisked off her feet by a handsome millionaire and now lives a glamorous but idle life at the beautiful Charlcome Park. While back in the 1940s, the mansion was home to Xenia Arkadyoff, who is the daughter of a movie star and a Russian Prince, and the envy of all her school-friends. But while Buttercup can have everything she wants, apart from the one thing she is desperate for, Xenia's life is a myriad of secrets no one can find out.

The reason I love Lulu Taylor's books is that they remind me a bit of those glitzy books that were popular in the 80s and 90s. The characters are glamorous and wealthy, but obviously not happy! The Winter Secret combines 1940s Hollywood and the lost world of the Russian tsars, with a touch of modern-day psychological thriller. I loved the mystery surrounding the old house and its sinister 'curse'. It wasn't hard to work out what was happening in Buttercup's life, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of her story, and I did like the way she tried to fight back. Whereas I wished Xenia had made more of her opportunities! There were also some twists I didn't work out, which I always enjoy!

This was a five-star read for me, and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves dual-time line mysteries about big old houses, and for fans of authors such as Eve Chase and Kate Morton.

Thank you to Lulu Taylor and Pan Macmillan for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

I’m a big Lulu Taylor fan so I was delighted to receive an ARC from Netgalley and Pan Macmillan in exchange for my honest review.

Lulu Taylor has done it again with The Winter Secret — I could not put this book down! Lulu Taylor is so skilled at weaving together the past and present to a fantastically satisfying denouement, and her latest offering is no exception.

I found both timelines completely compelling (Buttercup Redmain’s story is set in the present day, Princess Arkadyoff’s story is set in the late 1940s, as well as the present day).

Lulu Taylor has created a truly chilling yet believable character in Charles Redmain, and she is so skilful in building and building the tension throughout the book to a masterful crescendo.

Perfect for a winter’s day, I would strongly recommend The Winter Secret!

The Winter Secret is a story of past tragedies interwoven with present day secrets and lies. The story is told by Xenia Arkadyoff in the past and Buttercup Redmain in the present.

Charcombe Park was the Arkadyoff family home until tragedy struck and the house was sold to Charles Redmain. Charles is a man who is used to getting his own way and uses his power to influence and intimidate. Buttercup is Charles’ second wife. She loves her life: she has a loving husband, beautiful home and she is given everything to make her life easy; but when she discovers Charles is keeping secrets, it makes her rethink whether this is the life she wants,

A good book about love, loss, deception and lies. Several twists made this enjoyable and entertaining to read.

Buttercup Redmain has every thing. She is living a luxury life at the expense of her older, wealthy husband, successful business man Charles. Living in Charcombe Park, the Redmain country estate, built by one of Charles' ancestors and lovingly restored, she has housekeepers and assistants and spends her days riding horses and lunching with friends in London. But things are not quite all they seem on the surface. Charles' ex-wife Ingrid is living too close for comfort and Buttercup is dealing with her own heartache.

Xenia Arkadyoff is the daughter of a Russian Prince and a famous movie star mother. She once lived at Charcombe Park before being forced to sell to the Redmains. She now lives in the gatehouse on the estate.

The story switches between the present day of the Redmains  and Xenia's past in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

It's hard to review this book without giving anything away. Needless to say the secrets contained in the house by it's different owners past and present gradually emerge and the luxury façade slowly unravels to a thrilling climax.

If I'm being honest you can probably see some of the twists coming, although I definitely didn't predict them all. And this doesn't make the novel any less enjoyable. The characters are interesting particularly Xenia and Arkadyoff family and it was their story that I was most drawn to. Xenia emerging relationship with Polish cleaner Agnieska is especially endearing.

The ending, while certainly dramatic, seemed a little contrived and some of the relationship at the end of the book were too convenient for my taste.

This was an enjoyable winter read and I would definitely read other titles by Lulu Taylor as there were some aspects of this story that I really liked.

The Winter Secret is published on 29th November and would be a great stocking filler for the reader in your family. Pre-order from your local bookshop now.

Thank you Lulu Taylor, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful winters night read by Lulu Taylor, so grab a blanket, your mug of hot chocolate and get comfy as you won’t want to leave Buttercup’s tale anytime soon!

Having read all of Lulu Taylor’s other books, The Snow Angel is still my favourite by a mile but this one was still a great read. A bit of a slow burner that took me a while to full get drawn into but once it had me hooked, that was it, held captive until the last page.

The characters were all wonderfully portrayed, some more likeable than others, but be prepared to have your opinions turned come the end, I know I certainly did! And every good story has to have at least one person, place or situation we all love to hate doesn’t it?

And without anything away, there are several plot twists at the end that you honestly won’t see coming (unless you read to may spoilers which you won’t get from me!) One of which had me swearing out loud, “No f**king way” 🤯 Luckily I was tucked up warm and cozy under my blanket at home so just a warning incase you’re in a public place when you’re reading the latter parts of this book 😂

I’m not going to write a summary of the plot as the book blurb gives you more than enough information, the rest you need to read and discover for yourselves, and it really is worth doing just that!

I will say however that some aspects of this story will give you pause for thought on your own online presence and how much of our own lives we put up online for others to see giving them their own window into our activities and even our thoughts!

I can’t recommend this book highly enough, especially if you are a fan of her previous work or a newcomer. If you have never read any of her other books they are all equally as good and a few that are even better!

The Winter Secret is due to be published on 29 Nov 2018 in the UK and can be preordered now

A big thank you to the author Lulu Taylor, publishers Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest and independent review.

The Winter Secret by Lulu Taylor is a story about past and present occupants of a house called Charcombe Park. The present occupants Charles Redmain and his wife Buttercup, and former residents Xenia Arkadyoff and her mother a famous actress.
Buttercup has almost everything that she could wish for but its beginning to feel unhappy that her every move is being monitored and that she is being controlled by her husband.
This is a book is full of secrets and lies and some unforgettable characters.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’m going to have to admit something from the off - I have problems reading books when the characters have funny names. Not always, but when they jar with the story which I think they did here. Buttercup Redmain was the main character’s nickname but it’s used throughout. I worried about someone called Milky until I realise it wasn’t even a cow, but a horse. When Buttercup takes Milky for a walk, it almost finished me off. And don’t get me started on Xenia Arkadyoff .....Having said, that’s my minor quirk, not the authors’s so....on with the plot...

Lulu has written a nice story of a house with secrets. It’s a posh grand place but she’s not happy with her controlling husband and as the secrets come out, you want to shout at her to run!

There are two timelines and as we switch back and forth, a story of the house, its secrets and why there are strange feelings in the house, two outhouses and why the glittering facade seems to hide things from Miss Redmain that slowly come to the surface.

I liked the idea of how the house had such a pull on its inhabitants now and then.. pity it’s not real as I would love to go and wander through its hallowed halls.

For me however, the style was a little two sweet for me to care about the secrets and the mystery was lost in what was a light-hearted novel despite the depth of the themes - marriage, movie star with issues, pain , betrayal etc.

I do still enjoy Lulu Taylor however and will be back for the next one.