Really enjoyed listening to this book - I really didn't want to stop. The story kept my interest with twists and turns, and the narrator was very good. I'll be reading/listening to more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, AJ McDine, and Bookoture Audio for the ARC. This is the second book I've read from this author. The Photo was fantastic, Everyone Has Secrets was just ok. I didn't feel any kind of connection to the characters and didn't have much sympathy for them. It was pretty obvious who gave the drugs and why. There was no real surprise to this story and for that I found it to be just ok. Short chapters are always appreciated. Narrator was lovely to listen to and would listen to more from her.

"Everyone Has Secrets" proved to be a captivating read, especially because of its surprising ending, which left me feeling satisfied.

The novel explores trust between spouses and within a broader circle of family and friends, raising questions about secrets and the lengths we go to protect loved ones. It challenges the balance between love and justice.

I found the plot engaging, despite its melancholic tone. The well-crafted characters added depth, with their lives intricately interwoven, creating emotional conflicts.

The finale was nothing short of shocking and gave me a sense of joy—it's rare to find a novel that resonates so deeply and offers such satisfaction upon finishing. As I read, I was not only eager to see how the story would unfold but also compelled to reflect on how I would respond if placed in the main character's shoes.

Overall, the novel’s brisk pace and compelling storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat, making it difficult to put down. I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This was fun. I usually like psychological thrillers and this one was no exception. The characters are relatable and realistic enough, some of them are likable others not so much, but I did like everyone. There are multiple plot twists, which is a nice treat. I particularly like when a thriller has more than one twist, it gives the book a nice pacing and it is more entertaining.
Personally, I've enjoyed this author's previous book, The Photo, more than this one. But I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has read a book by this author before, as well as to anyone who enjoys domestic and psychological thrillers with flawed - but realistic - characters.
The audiobok is really well done. It is the same narrator, Tamsin Kennard, of The Photo, and she makes a very good by voicing all the different characters. Also recommend it.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio, for providing me with a free audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a thrilling mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. It's about a family whose perfect life is shattered by a single event at a 16th birthday party. The story follows a young woman named Eve as she tries to uncover the truth behind this event and protect her family.

As a parent, this book made me realise how important it is to be aware of what's happening in our children's lives, even if they think we're being too cautious.

A twisty family drama. A good look at damned if you do, damned if you don’t parenting. I really enjoyed the perspective of giving your kid a touch of freedom and how it can go wrong in a moment. It wasn’t particularly surprising but a good read nonetheless.

3.5/5

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

This is a simple mystery, nice if you want a mystery but don’t want it to make you go crazy haha. It was pretty well done, just a bit basic for me I think. Well written though. I didn’t really care about the characters, I didn’t like anything bad happening to people but also didn’t feel like I cared that much. It was a nice ending though.

I'll be publishing my review on Goodreads and StoryGraph 18th November and on Tik tok most likely will add to a monthly wrap up post with review the beginning of December.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Everyone Has Secrets
AJ McDine

🌟🌟🌟🌟

After reading The Photo by this author a couple of months ago, I was excited to dive into this new release in the hope that it would be just as good.....I was not disappointed!

The title is perfect for this book as literally every character has something, big or small and as the storyline unfolds more and more is uncovered or revealed.

I loved the way that the storyline developed, guiding us to think one way, but then revealing just a little more to have us taking another route.

The characters were great and although we only follow this from the one pov (Eve's), this worked really well to keep the suspense and intrigue going from start to finish.

The writing style was totally addictive with an amazing prologue which sucked us in from the first page.
The short punch chapters that follow often ending on a mini cliffhanger that meant this was impossible to put down!

This was another great read and I'm already looking forward to my next read by McDine.



💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

An addicting and thoroughly entertaining thriller. Two close-knit families are torn apart when tragedy strikes one’s daughter and the other family’s son may be the cause.

This was such an engaging read with complicated and interesting characters. Tamsin Kennard was amazing as always. I immediately look up the author’s backlist because I enjoyed this book so much. Highly recommend.

ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 friends are holding a secret about their classmate/ friend's death - and the parents dont know what caused Annie's OD of Ecstasy drug - when the police start inquiring about the incident that happened on the day of Joe's birthday party a lot of secrets come out - but no one is willing to give up the name of the person who supplied the "E"

As more and more truth come out Eve has to fight against every odd to prove her son Joe's innocence!
Overall a very fast pace thriller and kept me wanting for more, had to finish it in one sitting!

I enjoyed this book and the characters. My only disappointment was that there were no surprises in the story.

This audiobook is gripping, intense, and emotional. There was one part in particular that had me sobbing. I have always appreciated a thriller that could evoke a vast range of emotions. There were twists throughout with an ending I never saw coming. This is the second book I have read by A. J. McDine and I highly recommend them both. Tasmin Kennard masterfully brings the story to life while adding a layer of intrigue and high intensity. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.

The title says it all a family and friendship is tested when tragedy strikes it opens up lots of secrets, everyone in the book has secrets , Lots of twists and turns just what I like in a book

A great listen, gripping story and fab narrator.
Had to keep listening to find out what happened.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for letting me review this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Narrated by Tamsin Kennard
Presented by Bookouture Audio

Not quite the scandalous read I was expecting - more like a mother's trials and tribulations.

Eve has a 'perfect life', which changes when her best friend's daughter winds up in a coma after attending a birthday party for Eve's son, Joe.

I was expecting the classic trope of terrible rich people suddenly discovering their perfect lives aren't actually perfect, and while that is kind of the case, it was lacking drama and a little too predictable.

I didn't love or loathe any of the characters, really, which meant I wasn't fully committed to the story, and I thought some parts just seemed a bit too unbelievable - like it was trying to wring drama out of plot points that didn't really have any.

A lot of the story focuses on Eve's trials as a mother - how she has to stick up for her family, and look after her son in the process.

I do think mothers may find this resonates and so will enjoy it more thoroughly for that.

The narration was pretty decent, and distinguished each voice well. They played the part of Eve really well.

Wasn't quite enough for me to really lose myself to it, but I can see how this would be a thrilling read for others.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

Very solid read! Overall made me want more! This was my first of this author but will not be my last. I flew through this one so quickly.

I want to keep this review fairly vague because this is one of those thrillers you’ll want to experience with as few spoilers as possible.

AJ McDine delivers another brilliantly twisted family drama that grabs hold and doesn’t let go until the very last page.

The story centers around a 16-year-old’s birthday party, where one disastrous moment changes the lives of everyone there. For Eve, this event is the beginning of the end for her seemingly perfect life. She has it all—a loving husband, a bright son, her dream home, and a fulfilling job. But as she searches for the truth of what happened that night, layers of secrets and lies emerge, threatening to destroy everything she’s worked so hard for.

Being a parent in this day and age, I found the events of the party has solidified my assertion to always be viewed as the "overly worried" mom my daughter's claim I am!

This was a dynamic 4 stars!

This book was such an addictive read! From the very beginning, I was drawn into the lives of the Griffiths and the charming, close-knit community of South Langley. The village setting felt so cozy and familiar, which made the darker, unexpected twists even more chilling. When Annie is found in Eve’s kitchen, clinging to life, the suspense kicked in, and I couldn’t stop flipping pages.

The characters are so real—flawed, sometimes frustrating, but somehow still relatable. I found myself really invested in Eve, her fierce determination to uncover the truth, and the growing sense of betrayal as secrets between her, her best friend, husband, and son start to unravel. No one in this story is blameless, and that just kept me guessing.

The twists were perfectly timed, and I loved the tension as new revelations threw everything into question. Listening to this as an audiobook made it even better! Tasmin Kennard’s narration added so much depth; she captured the raw emotions and kept me on edge through every chapter.

If you love a mystery that keeps you hooked until the last page, with characters you’ll connect with despite their flaws, this one’s a must-read. Perfect for curling up with on a chilly night—it’s packed with suspense and that cozy-but-creepy vibe!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
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I am trying to feel so many thoughts that I want to explain after finishing this book, but the one that jumps out at me the most is heartbreak and devastation. I have been sitting on my feelings with this book and it has been one of the most thought-provoking books I have read in a while. All the characters and their motivations and how that all intertwined back into the story were so interesting to see. I could see parts of my self in many of these characters, alongside their pain and secrecy.

This is a must read for those who love page turning thrillers.

I honestly did not know who to trust and what was going to happen next! And that is difficult to find these days. Books often feel one-note and shallow, but this book delivered on plot, character development, and a good mystery.

Definitely add this to you TBR list! You won't be disappointed!