Oh I think my heart just broke a little bit! Bea is a mum and finds herself in a position nobody would ever like to be in. She is fiercely proud and used to fending for herself. Then along comes Malcolm very unexpectedly and the story unfolds in a most lovely way. You will need tears at the end be warned.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy of The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright.
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Devoured it in one very late night, I had to know how it ended.
Bea always has a glass half full, convinced that things will turn out okay, she sees the good in everyone,
until her life falls apart. Can she rebuild her life and find the future she deserves.
Don't miss this gem.

This would be a 5 star book if it weren't for the terrible decisions Beatrice makes for entirely TOO long, putting her very young child in extreme danger. This goes on for FAR too long. Because she's embarrassed to tell people? Even her long term best friend who is so deeply loving to her, endlessly supportive, and helpful.

The writing is excellent, story is excellent, but it's dangerous and infuriating how handled a child for so long, when there were ample opportunities to tell someone she trusted.

Bea;s life is turned upside down when her partner leaves her and her daughter homeless, she ends up living in a closet in the hospital where she works as a cleaner.

Brooke Harris has a way of pulling you in to a story because of the strength of her characters and you feel that you actually know them.
You cant help but become invested in the story of Bea and Ellie and the challenges they face.
It is difficult to write a review of this fabulous book without giving too much away.
So I would say its a testament to the strength of a mother, for second chances and for making the reader cry!
Loved it.

The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright is a profoundly moving story of resilience, love, and the unexpected ways human connections can heal even the deepest wounds. Brooke Harris masterfully weaves a tale that balances heartbreak with hope, creating a narrative that is as uplifting as it is poignant.

Beatrice "Bea" Alright is a character who embodies quiet strength and determination. When her partner Declan drops a devastating bombshell, leaving her and their four-year-old daughter, Ellie, homeless, Bea’s world is turned upside down. With no family to turn to and her best friend's generosity stretched thin, Bea resorts to living in a hospital storage closet, where she works as a cleaner. Despite her dire circumstances, Bea’s love for Ellie and her unwavering hope drive her forward, making her journey both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

The story takes a beautiful turn when Bea befriends Malcolm, an elderly man who spends his days sitting on a bench outside the hospital. Their growing friendship, though initially unlikely, becomes a source of healing for both Bea and Malcolm, offering them solace and support during their respective struggles. Malcolm’s grandson, Shayne, adds another layer of warmth and complexity to the story, as his presence begins to open doors Bea never thought possible.

Harris’s writing is heartfelt and compassionate, bringing her characters to life in a way that makes them feel deeply relatable. Bea’s unwavering dedication to Ellie, Malcolm’s hidden pain, and Shayne’s quiet kindness all contribute to a rich tapestry of emotions that will leave readers both tearful and hopeful.

Final Thoughts:
The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright is a bittersweet yet uplifting story about the power of kindness, the strength of a mother’s love, and the unexpected ways people can come together to help each other heal. With its richly drawn characters and emotional depth, this book is a must-read for fans of heartfelt, character-driven stories. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest times, light can be found through connection and compassion.

Thank you to Storm Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow what can I say. Gorgeous book, fabulous characters and a storyline that will guarantee to hit you right in the chest.
I was completely hooked from the first page, willing the characters on each with their own story and battle ahead. So we'll written with lots of thought going into each page. You'll smile, you'll cry but you won't want it to end. Absolutely wonderful from beginning to end

The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright is the story of a young single mother of four year old Ellie who thinks she has the best life or does she. Bea works in a hospital has a pilot boyfriend Declan who flies all over. They live together where Bea handles the home fires and Ellie and her job. Bea had big dreams of becoming a doctor, ,but had to drop out once she became pregnant with Ellie. Bea always thought she and Declan would marry and raise Ellie as one happy family. That was until Declan came clean with a secret he had been hiding from Bea. At that moment Bea and Ellie had lost everything. What was she going to do?
Enter Malcolm n elderly gentleman who befriends Bea and Ellie. Malcolm brings some sunshine and hope into their lives. Along with that Shayne Malcolm’s grandson show them what a true family is. Yet are both Malcolm and Shayne holding something from Bea? Will Bea tell them the truth about how bad life is for her and her daughter without losing them and her daughter.? Plus how does Bea’s boss Elaine fit into this situation?
Brooke Harris is a new author for me so I did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised how I enjoyed this book. It was about a mother’s love for her child and what she must do to survive. It’s also about a families pain with words they cannot take back, yet with the help of friends they find their way back to each other. Beautifully written story great characters even with their flaws. I would recommend this book to my fellow readers. Thank you Net Galley and Storm Publishers for the ARC. Excellent!

I almost have no words to describe The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright by Brooke Harris. This was a beautiful, thought provoking and heartbreaking story.

Beatrice (Bea) is almost wholly dependent on Declan, her longtime boyfriend and father of her four year old daughter, Ellie. When Declan suddenly announces that he is married and is ending things and walks out without a thought for Bea and his daughter, Ellie, Bea’s world comes tumbling down around her, and she finds herself and Ellie living in a storage closet at the hospital where she works.

I could almost feel Bea’s heartbreak and desperation as she struggled to take care of her little girl and tried to find a safe place for them to live. It seemed like every time Bea would start to get ahead something would drag her back down. Unfortunately I think her situation is all too real for many. I honestly don’t know how she managed to keep their living arrangements a secret for as long as she did.

At the same time that Bea’s life was falling apart, the story took a sweet turn as she befriended the elderly Malcolm and his grandson, Shayne. Their friendship was mutually beneficial, as Bea and Ellie brought joy to Malcolm’s life and helped to bring his family back together, while he provided Bea and Ellie with friendship, and eventually a sense of belonging and a safe home.

This was such a beautiful, bittersweet story, one that I think will stick with me for a long time. and I will find myself recommending often.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

My first book by the author, Brooke Harris, and definitely won’t be my last. Bea and her daughter, Ellie, find themselves in an impossible situation and Bea struggles to keep her little family safe and together. Bea meets an elderly gentleman called Malcolm outside the hospital where she works and her life is about to change forever. This story is heartbreaking but also touching, with humour and laughter alongside the moments of sadness. Just beautiful!

This was my last read of 2024. It was absolutely perfect. Bea thinks her life is perfect, and it is...until it isn't and everything falls apart. The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright tells such a beautiful story of heartbreak, strength and hope. It made me laugh at times, and made me cry. I loved everything about this book.

I adored The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright by Brooke Harris! Bea Alright is extremely down on her luck, and every time she seems to get a break, something else goes wrong. Ellie, her daughter, is the one bright spot in her life, and Bea would do anything for her. On a cold, snowy evening, when she is rushing to pick up Ellie from daycare, Bea notices Malcom, a grumpy old man, sitting on a bench outside the hospital where she works. Sometimes a break on a bench with a total stranger can be a difference-maker in your day, even if it doesn’t change your circumstances. I highly recommend this book, and I am excited to read more from Brooke Harris. Thank you to Storm Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an advance reading copy of 'The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright'. It's a heartbreaking but also heartwarming story that will have you crying, laughing and shouting out loud (at certain characters). A 5star read to curl up with - I recommend a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows and a handy box of tissues too.

A perfect read. There was just the right amount of sweetness, problems and kindness to make this work so so well. Bea is lovely and despite making mistakes, that we all make, she ends up in a really tight spot. Bea is surrounded by no-one who can help and who is there for her and her little one. The book explores the kindness of strangers and what comes back to you when you give and give and are the person that brightens life for others..

Heartbreaking, heartwarming, it'll make you laugh and it'll make you cry! An absolutely fantastic read. Bea has the rug well and truly pulled out from under her by her boyfriend. But she never gives in and will do anything to protect her daughter. With friends, both old and new, Bea soldiers on through thick and thin, and ultimately triumphs. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Brooke Harris for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright is a deeply touching story of resilience, kindness, and the enduring power of hope. At its heart is Beatrice Alright, a woman who embodies optimism, finding silver linings in the darkest of circumstances.

When Bea’s partner delivers devastating news that leaves her and their four-year-old daughter, Ellie, homeless, Bea refuses to lose hope. Instead, she clings to what little she has: her job as a cleaner at St Helen’s Hospital. By day, she diligently scrubs the wards; by night, she tucks Ellie into a makeshift bed amidst mops and buckets, determined to keep moving forward despite her dire situation.

Bea’s life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Malcolm, an elderly man sitting alone on a cold bench outside the hospital. Despite her struggles, Bea feels compelled to reach out to this cantankerous stranger. What begins as a simple act of kindness soon unravels Malcolm’s decades-old pain, and in helping him, Bea begins to uncover ways to heal herself.

This beautifully written story balances heartbreak and hope, illustrating how human connection can bridge even the deepest wounds. Bea is a wonderfully relatable character, whose unwavering determination and warmth make her journey all the more compelling. Malcolm’s story adds layers of poignancy, reminding readers that kindness has the power to transform lives in unexpected and profound ways.

With endearing characters and a narrative that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect, The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of compassion. A heartwarming and inspiring read, it’s a story that will stay with you long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright by Brooke Harris, in exchange for my honest review.

This was a heartbreaking, as well as heartwarming, story, with wonderful, loveable characters. You will cry, you will laugh, and you may even become impatient at times; however, don't give up! This story was a great reminder to never give up.

I look forward to reading more by Brooke Harris.

This is a gorgeous read which somehow balances some heartbreaking situations with an overall warmth that actually makes this beautifully uplifting. Bea is a lovely character, a great mum and a hard worker as a hospital cleaner but her life is shattered overnight when her partners actions leave her and their four year old daughter homeless. With no family of her own and feeling increasingly uncomfortable with imposing on her best friend’s life she results to sleeping in a storage room at work. At the same time her life is falling apart she befriends an older man who frequents a bench outside the hospital and I love the gradual friendship and rapport that grows between them. Each of them are going through significant events in their lives but they each have something to offer the other in amongst their own personal tragedies. This is bittersweet but joyful and I found myself entranced by the story which I seemed to read in no time.

I absolutely loved this book! In fact, I couldn't put it down. I have my usual reading time and my usual reading place, but this was so good that I read everytime and everywhere I could. I love it when a book makes you feel like you not only know the characters but that. you are also in the room with them. This is the first book that I read by this author, but it won't be the last!

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. I truly enjoyed it!

I haven't heard of this author before but will be seeking out all of her books now! Bea is a young woman with a 4 year old daughter who is in a serious relationship with her daughter's father who works away from home. She gave up her studies when she became pregnant and now struggles with childcare and balancing a job as a cleaner in a hospital. Her partner suddenly ends the relationship and leaves Bea and their daughter with nothing. The pair are effectively homeless and she's struggling to manage. An elderly man sits outside Bea's work every day and they strike up a conversation and then a friendship. This is such a beautiful heartwarming read and I raced through it in less than a day.