Twenty five years ago Joanna Johnson fled her hometown of Rivers End in Victoria after discovering a shocking and dangerous secret about someone she had made friends with that summer. She also felt betrayed by her best friend Roslyn and decided to cut all ties with her and their dreams of starting a fashion label together, also leaving behind a new relationship with Lucas, a young man who had just moved to Rivers End.

Following her parents to Queensland, Joanne settled on the Gold Coast and started a successful career in fashion. Now in her forties, Roslyn has summoned Joanna back to Rivers End where an old wreck is washing up on the beach and the secret Joanna tried to escape is at risk of being discovered.

This is a slow burn of a tale as Joanna rediscovers everything she loved about Rivers End, slowly rekindling her relationships with those she left behind and trying to decide where she wants the future to take her. I very much enjoyed visiting this picturesque small coastal town and meeting all who live there in this feel good story of second chances.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Wow! This book had me captivated right from the beginning. The author weaves the story between past and present which is very effective. This book is all about the mystery, history and a little romance thrown into a small coastal town.

The past may not be Joanna’s favorite place but can she mend fences and make things right in the present? All the while trying to figure out the mystery of the past?

A very emotional read and one I could not put down. 5 star read.

Joanna's life suddenly changes when she receives a letter from her former best friend, Roslyn who lives in Rivers End. Her Aunt Beryl, the last of her family members still lives there and highly suggests that Joanna take a break from work and come and see if an old shipwreck that washed up twenty-five years later doesn't implicate her in anything. Could the boat be Spee-Dee-One, the one that belonged to Trent? But how can it be, if she left him alive when she swam for her life after she discovered his deadly secret. Joanna's past resurfaces after all those years when she ran away from Trent, Rivers End and possibly the love of her life, all because of many misunderstandings and young people making bad life altering decisions.

Thank you Netgalley for this lovely ARC!

This was my first read from Phillipa Nefri Clark, and it won't be my last. I absolutely loved this story. All the characters were beautifully written. I was hoping for the best for Joanna throughout the whole book. I have learned this is the 4th in a series. I will immediately be buying the other 3.

Joanna returns to her childhood home following an urgent letter from her estranged best friend, hinting at a damaging secret about to be revealed.
Following Joanne now, and back in 2000 when the mysterious incident took place we follow the character unpicking her long held firm beliefs about what happened in the past and finding out some startling home truths.
The characters and setting of the book are vividly described and the gradual reveal of the true truth keeps the pages turning.
An excellent read.

What a lovely reading.
I loved the characters and the touch of mystery that makes reading more enjoyable.
The beginning is incredibly fascinating, leaving you with many questions and it’s this that drives you to devour the pages, to understand what really happened, what drove Johanna to leave Rivers End, a place she loved.

Lose yourself in The Secrets of Willow Bay

Finding your people and yourself, travelling to beautiful places, returning to places you left. Those are recurring themes in my own work, and they all come together in this stunner. The Secrets of Willow Bay will make you laugh and cry. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but one I feel lucky to have been on.

Colourful
I could almost taste the salt in the air and nearly felt a spider land on my shoulders while reading this book. Phillipa Nefri Clark’s descriptions are vivid and on point. I wouldn’t mind a trip to Willow Bay and definitely got the Australian summer vibe that I experienced on my own travels to Victoria and Queensland.

What most intrigued me was the theme of bold choices taken in certainty, and returning decades later to find out that shake that certainty. The author deals with this in a colourful and brave way, no black-and-whites here. I love that, tied with the fact Joanna does not at all want to revisit her choices.

Heartwrenching and optimistic
I also wouldn’t mind living in the cottage where Joanna stayed (minus before mentioned spiders). The coziness sparks off the pages, but it all fits and serves the story, that is heartwrenching and optimistic at the same time. Because those choices that led Joanna away, also led to beautiful events that otherwise would not have happened. I love that, too! And isn’t that just life?

No surprises, I am handing out five stars to The Secrets of Willow Bay.

The Secrets of Willow Bay is the first book I read by Philippa Nefri Clark, but it certainly won’t be my last. Thank you, Storm Publishing for providing The Secrets of Willow Bay for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

With thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of The Secrets of Willow Bay by Phillipa Nefri Clark which is based between two time lines - current time and early 2000.

Joanna is called back to Rivers End after receiving a urgent letter from her once best friend Roslyn. She'd blocked Roslyn from her life 20 plus years ago and had refused to let anyone mention her or Rivers End since then. What's in the letter is urgent enough for Joanna to hesitatingly return now and revisit things that happened in her previous life that she'd worked so hard to move on from.

You’ll be eagerly turning the pages and will be left with many different scenarios in your head - why are parts of an old yacht washing up now, did Joanna kill someone accidentally, is he really dead, who is making the threats, can she trust the first person she fell in love with, why did Roslyn do what she did, can she forgive her and move on with life now? So many questions that need answers. To find these answers you must read this book, you won't regret it.

Emotions are at the forefront when Joanna returns to Willow Bay after twenty five years. Heartbroken when she left, she swore she would never return. But here she is, brought back by a letter from the one who betrayed her.
Relationships, second chances and a journey back to where it all began is at the heart of this wonderful book. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an arc of this five star book. This review is my honest opinion.

The Secrets of Willow Bay kept me on my toes. When Joanna returns to her childhood home, she is full of trepidation. Will they find out about what she did when she was a teen? Would her life be ruined? Would she be able to mend fences? This idyllic little town on the ocean is everything she dreams about, but things are getting scary. Will Joanna even live to tell the tale? Great characterization in this novel... I felt like I knew them. If you like something that will keep you turning the pages, pick this one up.

This is a wonderful story about long term friendship. Joanne left Willow Bay many years ago, never to return, for good reasons at the time. Twenty five years on, new information comes to light and a mystery is solved, and a friendship and a love rekindled. There are a lot of very likeable characters in this book and I enjoyed the portrayal of a small community. I have liked previous books by this author and this one maintains that high standard. I hope to read more about the folk in Willow Bay. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Phillipa Nefri Clark has once again crafted an immersive and emotional tale that draws readers deep into the heart of a small coastal town and the secrets it harbors. The Secrets of Willow Bay, the fourth book in the Temple River series, delivers a beautifully written story of love, betrayal, and redemption, set against the vivid backdrop of Australia’s stunning limestone coast.

The narrative follows Joanna Johnson, who fled her hometown of Rivers End 25 years ago, burdened by heartbreak and a mysterious tragedy. A letter from her estranged best friend, Roslyn, pulls her back to confront the ghosts of her past and unravel the truth behind the long-lost wreck of a yacht that has suddenly resurfaced. Phillipa’s evocative descriptions bring the town and its surroundings to life, making it easy to picture every scene, even if you've never visited Australia.

The plot is masterfully constructed, blending past and present timelines to peel back layers of secrets and misunderstandings. As Joanna reconnects with old friends, her first love Lucas, and her former dreams of designing and creating, the reader is taken on an emotional journey filled with twists, danger, and revelations. The mystery surrounding the yacht and its owner is gripping, with well-paced developments that keep you turning pages late into the night.

Clark excels at portraying complex relationships and deeply human emotions. Joanna’s struggle to reconcile her past and find forgiveness is relatable, though her habit of jumping to conclusions and holding onto assumptions for decades might test the patience of some readers. Lucas, as the steadfast love interest, is charming, though their initial connection felt tenuous, making the depth of Joanna’s enduring feelings a bit puzzling at times.

The exploration of themes like forgiveness, second chances, and personal growth adds depth to the story, making it more than just a mystery. The resolution is satisfying, with justice served and relationships restored in a way that feels both hopeful and earned. Fans of the Temple River series will appreciate how this installment ties into the overarching themes of the series while still standing alone as a compelling story.

Overall, The Secrets of Willow Bay is an engaging and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of romantic mysteries with richly drawn characters and a touch of suspense. Phillipa Nefri Clark continues to prove her talent for weaving heartfelt stories that resonate long after the final page.

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

Any book by Phillipa Nefri Clark can be relied upon to provide an immersive and intriguing read. This one was no exception. It’s beautifully written and even though I’ve never been to Australia I could easily visualise each location thanks to the evocative and well-chosen details.
The story was based on an interesting premise and I was soon keen to understand why Joanna left Willow Bay and what was driving her to return when ostensibly her former best friend had betrayed her.
I was able to guess at some aspects of the mystery, but not all. The plot was well thought through and the characters were distinct and interesting. I know nothing about sailing or tides but the book felt well researched and easy to understand.
My reason for giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that Joanna irritated me in some respects. I was frustrated by her habit of jumping to conclusions, and her inability to communicate. Twenty years of her life was driven by assumptions and yet she was able to forgive and move on relatively easily once she returned to her childhood town. Lucas was lovely, but I struggled to see why she’d carried a torch for him for so long, based on so tenuous a start. This may be down to my cynicism rather than any weakness on the author’s part, and I still enjoyed the book overall.

after a horrible accident one night as a teenager and betrayed by her best friend- all Joanna can do is run. when parts of an old shipwreck start turning up her best friend reaches out to her because they both know who the ship could belong to- Joanna is forced to return to willow bay to get the truth. after the lies, secrets and betrayal can there be forgiveness? i had a little bit of a hard time at the beginning to get into it but after that i couldn't put it down.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!

This was my first visit to Temple River. I hope to read more about this place and its inhabitants. The Secrets of Willow Bay is a second-chance romantic suspense story. Lots of issues with friends and family involved. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Joanna Johnson has carved out a comfortable life for herself on the Gold Coast. She has an exciting job working as the buyer, amongst many other things for a reputable firm. She likes her boss and is well paid but is she truly valued!
When she receives an unexpected letter calling her back to Rivers End where she grew up little does she realise the secrets that will unravel!

Personally I found this book slow to get going and it was curiosity that kept me going.
I did enjoy the mixed messages running through the story. My favourite character was Lucas, least favourite was Ray.

All I can say is she's done it again. :) Ms. Clark grabbed my attention from the beginning and I stayed up way too late reading, not wanting to leave the story in a 'tight spot' but I had to since I've been working most days this week around Christmas. I loved it. Especially as Joanna becomes more aware of herself and the role she's (unknowingly) played in the division of her relationships. Very well written and difficult topics are addressed with compassion.

I've enjoyed each book in this series, each time thinking, "This is the best one!" but then I get to read the next book and have to readjust my evaluation. Honestly, that's a very nice problem to have, in my opinion!

I received an ARC from Storm Publishing; this is my honest review.

Phillipa Nefri Clark has woven together the perfect mix of mystery, friendship, love, and self-discovery. Joanna has been away from her hometown of Rivers End for 25 years and for more than one reason. She was betrayed by her best friend and her boyfriend and was possibly involved in a murder/sunken yacht. She finally returns to try and solve the mystery after pieces of the yacht begin to wash ashore.
In between playing detective and figuring out her career; Joanna is forced to face the skeletons of her past and discovers that who she is and who she wants to be may be completely different.
Highly recommend this book!

A very enjoyable read. Focussing on the enduring power of old friendships the story draws the reader in. The story is an emotional roller coaster. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this

Jo returns to Willow Bay when her former best friend sends her a note to come back.

Jo is need of a break, so she returns to Willow Bay to where the wreckage of a boat is washing ashore. She knows which boat it is, it feels like it’s her fault.

But when her former best friend Roslyn asks to have their friendship resume, the memories of the night when Jo was on the boat starts to come back. And so does the little incidents that occur around Jo.

This books delves into memories, mistakes, finding friendships and restarting of lives.